Kevin Rudd (Griffith, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and International Security) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade. I refer the Deputy Prime Minister to the release of the agreement that will see the Liberal Party in Queensland take over the Queensland National Party. I also refer him to reports today that he is considering stepping down from the trade portfolio in an attempt to prevent the collapse of the National Party. Deputy Prime Minister, isn’t it the truth that your political party has already collapsed, just as Australia’s trade performance has collapsed—

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Mackellar, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I raise a point of order. This is a tactic being used by the opposition. This matter has absolutely nothing to do with the responsibility of the minister in accordance with the standing orders—

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! I am listening to the member for Mackellar.

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Mackellar, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The manner in which the opposition is conducting this line of questioning is a total abuse of the standing orders and should be ruled out of order.

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Mackellar will resume her seat. I have been listening closely to the question from the member for Griffiths. I will allow him to complete his question, but I am listening very carefully to see whether it is in order.

Kevin Rudd (Griffith, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and International Security) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Deputy Prime Minister, isn’t it the truth that your political party has already collapsed, just as Australia’s trade performance has collapsed with the 49th consecutive trade deficit announced today?

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The last part of that question is in order; the rest of it is not. The Deputy Prime Minister may answer the last part of the question.

Mark Vaile (Lyne, National Party, Minister for Trade) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am happy to answer either part but, as far as the second part of the question is concerned, our trade performance is not collapsing. The figures today reflect a reduction in the trade deficit and an increase in exports, and you know it.