Christian Porter avoids parliamentary committee probe of legal fees payment
The Coalition has blocked a recommendation by its own Speaker, canning a bid to have former attorney-general Christian Porter investigated over a financial donation that saw him resign from Cabinet.
Labor had called for debate on whether Mr Porter should front a parliamentary committee to investigate whether he breached parliamentary rules by accepting an anonymous donation to pay for legal fees in a defamation case against the ABC.
In an unprecedented move, despite the Speaker of the House Tony Smith arguing there was a case for further scrutiny, the motion was voted down 52 to 49.
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The Coalition has blocked a recommendation by its own Speaker, canning a bid to have former attorney-general Christan Porter investigated over a financial donation that saw him resign from Cabinet. Sydney Morning Herald
Mr Porter, also the former industry minister, resigned from Cabinet in September, despite being adamant he acted within the rules.
Mr Porter said he didn't want to pressure those within the blind trust to go public.
Manager of opposition business Tony Burke was critical of the decision.
"This is a brown paper bag stitched together by lawyers, we have no idea whose money is involved," he said.
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