Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I refer to the Prime Minister's previous answer, where he confirmed that the Sir Garfield Barwick address was 'a Liberal Party fundraiser'. In the other place a few moments ago, the Attorney-General said, 'It is not a political function.' Prime Minister, who is right—you or the Attorney-General? Is it a Liberal Party function or is it not?

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Before I call the Prime Minister, that question is at risk of straying outside the standing orders. The Prime Minister is not responsible for Liberal Party branch functions—

Opposition members interjecting—

When the interjections cease, I will call the member for Watson. Member for Watson.

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, as you are aware, within Practice, it is in order for us to question and follow up when the minister or Prime Minister has already provided information in question time, which is exactly what this question does.

Christopher Pyne (Sturt, Liberal Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

But, to the point of order, Mr Speaker, the Prime Minister is also not responsible for the answers that are given in another place by another person in the parliament.

Opposition members interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Those on my left will cease interjecting.

Christopher Pyne (Sturt, Liberal Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Therefore, while the House has been very generous with the opposition, they need to tighten up their questioning if they wish them to be in order.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am going to ask the member for Watson to rephrase the question.

Mr Champion interjecting—

The member for Wakefield has been warned.

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I refer to the Prime Minister's previous answer, where he confirmed that the Sir Garfield Barwick address was a Liberal Party fundraiser. Members of his cabinet, for which he is responsible, have ventured other opinions, stating it is not a political function. Prime Minister, is it a function of the Liberal Party, as you described in your previous answer, or is it not?

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I will call the Prime Minister so he can answer the question.

Dr Chalmers interjecting—

The member for Rankin has been warned.

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In response to the member who asked the question, I offered absolutely no judgement or no opinion as to the event in question.

Pat Conroy (Charlton, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You said it was a Liberal fundraiser.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Prime Minister will resume his seat. The member for Charlton will leave the House under 94(a). He has already been warned.

The member for Charlton then left the chamber.

Government members interjecting—

Members on my right will cease clapping.

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

What I did say is that I will gladly defend the integrity of the royal commission. The royal commissioner had withdrawn from this event before I was even aware of it.

Mr Bowen interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for McMahon is on a warning as well.

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The royal commissioner had withdrawn from the event before I was aware of it, so I am happy to defend the integrity of the royal commissioner. If members opposite want to debate the royal commission, let's bring it on, because what the royal commission has done is shine a light into some dark corners of our public life where union officials have ripped off workers to help themselves. There should be no place for that in our society—

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Prime Minister has concluded the answer. Is this a point of order?

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No, it is not.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am going to call the next question.

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No, no—I am allowed to seek leave to table a document. I seek leave to table an invitation to a Liberal Party fundraiser—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Is leave granted?

Leave not granted.

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

which states, 'All proceeds from this event will be applied to state election campaigns.'

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Watson will resume his seat. I call the member for Lyons.

An honourable member interjecting—

I warn members on my left about the use of props. I call the member for Lyons.