Bob McMullan (Fraser, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Federal/State Relations) Share this | Hansard source

It seems to me there is a very important aspect of question time, which is holding people accountable for their actions. When it talks about public affairs with which they are officially connected, that is much broader than portfolio matters for which they are directly responsible. The standing orders explicitly make that connection. I am amazed at the interpretation that said that question was out of order. I did not want to disrupt question time by raising a point of order then or a dissent, so I just ask you to reflect and report back.

See this speech in context