Kim Beazley (Brand, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) 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 take over the Queensland National Party.

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

Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order.

Kim Beazley (Brand, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, we have had repeated questions on this in the chamber.

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

Mr Speaker, you have already ruled that questions pertaining to matters or political parties not pertaining to office are out of order. I invite you to rule the Leader of the Opposition out of order.

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

I will listen carefully. The Leader of the Opposition has not completed his question, but I am sure he is aware of the point raised.

Kim Beazley (Brand, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We have already had yesterday and today several questions in relation to this. This is now a matter on the record of the parliament. Mr Speaker, I would remind you that Mr Vaile is also the Deputy Prime Minister.

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

The leader will come to his question.

Kim Beazley (Brand, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Wasn’t the Deputy Prime Minister wrong when he said in relation to proposals that the Queensland Nationals join the Liberals that there is ‘overwhelming support for the arrangements we have in place’? Wasn’t Senator Boswell, the Leader of the Nationals in the Senate, closer to the truth when he said: ‘Everyone is supporting Mark; well, nearly everyone. Bruce Scott’s not’? Deputy Prime Minister, isn’t the real truth that the whole Queensland National Party—

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

Mr Speaker, on a point of order: standing order 98(c), which you upheld previously, says quite clearly:

A Minister can only be questioned on the following matters, for which he or she is responsible or officially connected:

(i) public affairs;

(ii) administration; or

(iii) proceedings pending in the House.

None of those things relates to the nature of the question being asked by the Leader of the Opposition. He is out of order.

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

I will rule on the point of order.

Kim Beazley (Brand, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

At least the honourable member has made the case for this being persisted with. Quite clearly these are matters for which the minister is responsible. They are matters that have been dealt with in this House.

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

Order! The leader will not debate the point of order. A question should not ask a leader of a party about matters that refer to party matters only. He should be asked questions relating to his ministerial responsibilities. I call the Leader of the Opposition and ask him to take note of that point. I will hear his question, but he should be mindful of this point.

Kim Beazley (Brand, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Deputy Prime Minister, how can you persist as Minister for Trade when the real truth is that the whole Queensland National Party has walked out and the Deputy Prime Minister is as irrelevant in his party as the Nationals are in the bush?

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

Mr Speaker, further to my point on standing order 98(c): page 538 of House of Representatives Practice says:

… Speakers have ruled out of order questions or parts of questions to Ministers which concern, for example:

• statements, activities, actions … of the Minister’s own party or of its conferences, officials, representatives or candidates …

Quite clearly, it is out of order.

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

Order! I remind the member for Mackellar that the Leader of the Opposition, when he rephrased his question, asked the Deputy Prime Minister about a matter relating to his ministerial responsibilities. That part of the question is in order.

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

In response to the Leader of the Opposition, there is no question about my ability to continue as the Minister for Trade in this government, nor about the support I receive from my party, nor are the quotes you referred to inconsistent.

Opposition Member:

Release Bruce!

Opposition Member:

Where is he? What have you done to him?

Bernie Ripoll (Oxley, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Industry, Infrastructure and Industrial Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

He’s into a witness protection program.

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

Order! The member for Oxley is warned.