ABC News Radio

SUBJECTS: Peter Slipper scandal E&OE……  Marius Benson: Christopher Pyne, Peter Slipper has released some documents relating to Cabcharge travel that he undertook.  Have they altered your view on Peter Slipper? Christopher Pyne: Well, Peter Slipper’s Cabcharge dockets that he released are a welcome placing in the public domain of some of this evidence, but they don’t resolve the Federal Police investigation that is ongoing into the Speaker.  The Federal Police have indicated they are yet to receive those Cabcharge dockets and they will continue their investigations and obviously the sexual harassment case will be heard in the Federal Court in Sydney soon and that matter is still obviously ongoing as well.  Both of them are as serious as each other and both of them need to be resolved for the good of Peter Slipper, his family and the institution of the Parliament before he takes the Speaker’s chair. Benson: Peter Slipper says he intends to return as Speaker when these criminal charges are cleared.  The Government says he should be entitled to do that.  If Peter Slipper returns to the Chair will he be challenged by the Opposition? Pyne: Cleary, it would be very surprising if Peter Slipper returned to the Chair before all of these matters were dealt with.  Andrew Wilkie, Robert Oakeshott and Tony Windsor are three independents who’ve indicated they think it would be best for Peter Slipper, his family and the Parliament for him not to take the Chair.  That’s the Opposition’s view as well.  That is also the view of large number of members of the Labor Party caucus who are talking in the press on background about the Prime Minister’s lack of judgement on this matter.  Julia Gillard appears to be the only person in Australia who thinks Peter Slipper should resume the chair.  Even Bill Shorten, one of her cabinet ministers was at odds with her yesterday.  So, the wheels are falling off Julia Gillard’s jalopy when it comes to defending Peter Slipper returning to the Chair. Benson: So presumably if it came to a vote in Parliament when it resumes to Peter Slipper returning to the Chair you’d welcome that vote? Pyne: I wouldn’t welcome anything that damaged the Parliament or traduced the reputation of the Parliament or even the Speaker or any member of it.  I think the best thing for the Parliament and for Peter Slipper and his family is for all these matters to be resolved and once they’re resolved of course he can well return to the Chair, but if they’re not resolved that’s a whole different kettle of fish. Benson: Christopher Pyne, thank very much. Pyne: Thank you Marius. ENDS