Milton Dick (Speaker) | Hansard source

This is different from the earlier question because it's been rephrased. I was not happy with the direct imputing of the motive for the last question, but this is about a media report, and I've checked that. But, the Leader of the House, it says it's not in order for questions to reflect on or be critical of the character—hear me out—or conduct of the private affairs of a minister. On page 554, also, when it lists the form and content of question relating to a minister's public responsibilities, matters of a private nature not related to the public duties of a minister—but the question has been rephrased. I just want to tell the House I'm not comfortable with this kind of language, because you open up a can of worms for everyone to be criticised and discussing personal affairs. That's the issue.

Leader of the Opposition, I'm going to allow the question, but I'm just going to remind the House that I like language to be not personal in its nature and to be on the subject and the topic. The member for Lyne has rephrased her question. I thank her for that. The Prime Minister has been asked this question. He can answer in a very broad manner about the media reports there, and he may have additional information for the House, but I'll give him some latitude regarding the leeway with which the question was asked.

See this speech in context