Foreign affairs department questioned over whether Julian Assange is getting a fair trial politics live – The Guardian

Weve now rolled around to Scott Morrison attempting to get the Hillsong pastor Brian Houston an invitation to the White House in Dfat estimates.

What a stupid saga this has been.

The Labor senators Tim Ayers and Penny Wong want to know what Morrison asked the Americans for in terms of the invitation.

The Dfat secretary, Frances Adamson, says shes not aware of that information.

Ayers raises FOI applications about the Houston invite, which were denied on the basis the disclosure would harm the bilateral relationship with the US.

Was Dfat consulted about those denials? Another Dfat official says the department was consulted.

The only embarrassment here was for the prime minister, Wong says.

He didnt want to answer the question so the whole public service had to fall into line with that.

The Liberal senator Eric Abetz observes thats a comment.

Wong agrees. It is, indeed, a comment.

Ayers wants to know whether Dfat knew, when it last gave not very helpful evidence about this matter at estimates, that Morrison wanted Houston at the state dinner at the White House.

Adamson says Dfat didnt have complete visibility over that issue, noting she travelled with Morrison during last years visit to Washington.

It was a matter for the prime minister and his office, she says. Ayers asks when Adamson knew Morrison wanted Houston at the state dinner.

Adamson says she knew when Morrison told the radio host Ben Fordham this week.

She was aware of speculation prior to that, but she says Dfat wasnt handling that element of the visit.

Ayers wonders why it was vital that information not be shared to protect the bilateral relationship, and then it was suddenly OK this week.

Adamson tries to tough the reverse-ferret out, but Wong is on a roll about Morrisons embarrassment.

We are on the big issues here, Eric Abetz notes.

Wong notes the honesty of the prime minister is a significant issue.

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Foreign affairs department questioned over whether Julian Assange is getting a fair trial politics live - The Guardian