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Malcolm Turnbull Says 'Of Course' He Has Full Confidence In George Brandis

You know what that means.
Malcolm Turnbull resumes his seat after expressing
Alex Ellinghausen, Fairfax
Malcolm Turnbull resumes his seat after expressing

CANBERRA -- As the 2016 parliamentary year draws to a close, with signature legislation yet to passed and rumours of a Cabinet reshuffle in the new year, it is strongly suggested a moment in Tuesday's question time is parked away somewhere for safe keeping.

We say that because a very similar moment was marked exactly a year ago.

AG Brandis looked bemused as Pat Dodson asked whether there are discussions going on to replace him More at https://t.co/Le60InjaCt@abcnewspic.twitter.com/EpsJTOkkdV

— Naomi Woodley (@naomiwoodley) November 29, 2016

Amid speculation the accident prone Attorney-General George Brandis will be replaced, with the Bell Group liquidation controversy as the last straw -- but with the Opposition trying but failing so far to draw blood -- the Opposition Leader sought to draw out the Prime Minister on a tried and true, yet fairly devastating question.

Shorten put to Turnbull, "At exactly this time last year, the Prime Minister stood at the dispatch box and expressed full confidence in ministers Briggs, Brough and the Member for Fadden".

"One year on, in the last week of this Parliament for this year, will the Prime Minister express the same full confidence in the Attorney-General?"

After their scandals, Jamie Briggs (remember the bar scandal) and Mal Brough (who can forget the Slipper affair) are gone, while the demoted Member for Fadden Stuart Robert (in trouble over Liberal donors) shouted "I am still here" from the backbench.

The Prime Minister's reply?

Turnbull barely got out of his seat before smiling and uttering, "Of course I do".

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten asks the Prime Minister to remember this time last year.
Andrew Meares, Fairfax
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten asks the Prime Minister to remember this time last year.

Cue howls of opposition laughter as Turnbull resumed his seat and crossed his arms.

Is that the kiss of death? Only the Prime Minister knows.

The Attorney-General has been under intense pressure over the Bell Group legal dispute this week, and he has pretty much thrown former Treasurer Joe Hockey under a bus, but he's hanging on.

As for the Prime Minster, he told parliament that the continued questions on Brandis and the Bell Group are getting "tiresome".

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