Porter not off hook yet

FORMER attorney-general Christian Porter could be the subject of a fresh probe if Labor has its way.

The Opposition wants Mr Porter’s use of a blind trust to fund part of his legal fees for defamation action against the ABC investigated by the parliament’s privileges committee.

Manager of opposition business Tony Burke on Monday asked for the matter to be referred to the committee so it could determine if the Pearce MP (pictured) was in contempt of parliament.

“This is not a case of an MP making an honest mistake. This is not a case of carelessness. This is a deliberate and calculated attempt to avoid the entire purpose of the (members’ interests) registry,” Mr Burke told parliament on Monday.

Mr Porter has maintained he properly disclosed his interests in accordance with requirements.

But in September, he stood down from cabinet, stating the issue had become an “unhelpful distraction”.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison at the time said he considered the matter dealt with.

But Mr Burke said allowing the precedent to stand could make the register “worthless”.