House debates Questions to the Speaker
Ministerial Comment
Bob McMullan Fraser, Australian Labor Party
3:22 pm
Mr Speaker, I wish to ask a question of you. I ask you to reflect on and reconsider a ruling you made, which did not have any impact on the proceedings today, in which you said that it was not appropriate to ask a minister to comment on comments made by another minister. First of all, I do not think that is a proper reading of the standing orders or of House of Representatives Practice where it refers to the limits. Even were it to be so, I ask you to consider the implications. It means that, if we have a contradiction between two ministers—
David Hawker Speaker
Order! The member for O’Connor will resume his seat; I am listening to the member for Fraser.
David Hawker Speaker
Order! The member for O’Connor will resume his seat. The member for Fraser has the call.
Bob McMullan Fraser, Australian Labor Party
It would mean, if applied generally, that where there is a contradiction between the statements of two ministers the House is limited in its capacity to pursue it. I know that was not your intention and it did not have that effect today, Mr Speaker, but I think you should give that some consideration. I am not asking for an instant reply today, but I think it is a very important question because you can imagine the circumstances in which the capacity to ask just such a question could be very important.
David Hawker Speaker
I thank the member for Fraser for his question. It is my understanding that it is not in order to ask another minister to comment on statements by a colleague. However, it is in order to ask the Prime Minister such a question. I think that comes under standing order 98. However, I will have a further look at that matter and report to him as appropriate.