Senator FIERRAVANTI-WELLS (New South Wales) (15:28): Wasn't that a sterling defence? I would love to have Senator Furner on my side! I would like in the time available to me to reflect somewhat on the member for Dobell. I have gone back to read his maiden speech. His maiden speech is very interesting because it tells us a lot about the member for Dobell. Senator Brandis interjecting— Senator FIERRAVANTI-WELLS: I will not go there, Senator Brandis, on the issue of maidens! The speech starts off—surprise, surprise!—by saying: At this stage, I need to acknowledge the fantastic advice and assistance I received from— none other than— Mark Arbib, Karl Bitar and Sam Dastyari from the New South Wales ALP head office. Of course Senator Arbib is the most likely person for the member for Dobell to have consulted with on this issue. If I had to put my money on the person who is most likely to have brokered the deal to pay the legal costs then I think that I would be safe in putting my money on Senator Arbib. Of course, there are a number of other issues. I know that Senator Ronaldson and Senator Brandis have been pursuing these matters, but it is interesting to note, just on the legal costs, the belated declaration in the register of members interests that: In May 2011, the Australian Labor Party (New South Wales Branch) paid a sum of money this in settlement of a legal matter to which I was a party … We have seen reports of $40,000, we have seen reports of $90,000 and we have seen reports of $150,000. But the person who could actually tell us how much the legal fees really were—they could be $150,000, they could be $200,000, they could be a quarter of a million dollars—is most likely, given what we have read in the newspaper, to be Senator Arbib. Not much happens in the New South Wales Right without Senator Arbib knowing about it or being the puppet master. He may now be quietly tucked away in sport and recreation, but he is still pulling some of those strings. Senator Ronaldson: Absolutely. Senator FIERRAVANTI-WELLS: Absolutely, Senator Ronaldson. Senator Brandis: We know what his recreation is! Senator FIERRAVANTI-WELLS: Yes. Then we have Mr Dastyari. Senator Arbib has referred us to the New South Wales Right. Mr Dastyari, tell us the deal that was brokered. Tell us how many people in head office actually know. There is not only Mr Dastyari, who runs the show there, there are also the financial controllers and the assistant secretaries—somebody must have authorised this money. Come clean and tell us how much it was and who did the deal. In my remaining time, I will reflect on one other aspect of the maiden speech of the member of the Dobell. He was pontificating. He was having a go at the Howard government, talking about messages. He was having a go at the Howard government because of its workplace policies. He said: I started by saying that the language we use as politicians should be simple, straightforward and honest, easy to understand—childlike, one might say. That had me thinking about messages we teach our children as to what is good and bad, from an early age. A lot of these messages are based on our religious beliefs. He told us that we should: Do unto others as you would have them do to you. He also told us: If you have done the wrong thing, say you are sorry. Well! Then he went on to talk about aged-care staff and healthcare workers, and how they are downtrodden. Mr Thomson, how do you think they feel about their hard earned union fees being used in this manner? Their fees have been trawled through and totally misappropriated. They have been used in brothels, been used for trips, been used for all sorts of things. How do you think those workers feel, today? You keep talking about standing up for the workers, but this is an absolutely appalling example. The Prime Minister needs to answer some serious questions. (Time expired) Question agreed to.