Peter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, it's always our instinctive default position to be of assistance to you and to the good order of this House. I think we've demonstrated our very significant track record in that regard. However, on this occasion the Leader of the House for his own political purposes is asking to dictate the composition of our questions, and that is not something that we will tolerate. If your ruling is that this question is out of order then that is a ruling that is open to you. But I put to you, Mr Speaker, that the question is in order. It's in accord with the standing orders and it reflects the reality given the minister's personal decision-making capacity in relation to the 84 and the other eight that are under consideration now. As it turns out, we were advised today that another 340 hardened criminals are likely to be released beyond the 92.

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