Statement on SENATOR SAM DASTYARI

Last night I spoke to Senator Sam Dastyari and told him to resign from his senior Labor positions in the Senate.

 

It is not a decision I took lightly.

 

I told Senator Dastyari that his mischaracterisation of how he came to make comments contradicting Labor policy made his position untenable.  

 

I also told him that while I accept his word that he never had, nor disclosed, any classified information, his handling of these matters showed a lack of judgment.

 

I know that Senator Dastyari will learn from this experience. I have asked him to inform the Senate at the first available opportunity.