Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Hansard source

Before I call the Attorney-General, I will add to my remarks in response to Senator Cameron's point of order and the supplementary point of order, if I could put it that way, from Senator Wong. I didn't want to hold up question time—and just as well I didn't, otherwise the opposition would have lost a question. I will add that, if questions that are asked are shorter, sharper and more direct, it is far easier for me to make an instant adjudication as to whether the minister has been directly relevant or not. Of course, it's entirely up to the questioner as to how long they wish their question to be and how many components the question has.

Finally, could I add that, as I have done in the past and as I will continue to do in the future, if ministers are not directly relevant to the question asked, the minister will be reminded of the question. I wanted to add those remarks without taking up time in question time.