House debates Questions to the Speaker
Question Time
Anthony Albanese Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House
4:07 pm
Mr Speaker, given the number of opportunities afforded to the opposition to raise questions with you, is it the case that there were 31 points of order and one protest made during question time today? Is it also the case that, during the last term of the previous government, the government gave 288 answers that were longer than four minutes? Thirdly, given the question raised by the Manager of Opposition Business about constitutionality, I wonder whether you could ascertain from the opposition whether they intend to proceed with their legal action about the constitutionality of this parliament when it does not have quorums or divisions between 6.30 and eight o’clock and whether the extension that they have asked for of that provision, which has been forwarded to the Procedure Committee, raises any legal questions whatsoever as well.
Joe Hockey North Sydney, Liberal Party, Manager of Opposition Business in the House
Okay, so you want to raise that subject too. Right, bring it on!
Anthony Albanese Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House
You were going to take legal action. Do it!
Joe Hockey North Sydney, Liberal Party, Manager of Opposition Business in the House
Mr Hockey interjecting
Harry Jenkins Speaker
As I said, I am reluctant to make, and try to avoid making, any comments about questions to do with procedures. I am not in a position to give any type of legal advice from the chair. Thirdly, the fact that the matter—
Joe Hockey North Sydney, Liberal Party, Manager of Opposition Business in the House
Mr Hockey interjecting
Anthony Albanese Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House
Mr Albanese interjecting
Harry Jenkins Speaker
The Leader of the House and the Manager of Opposition Business will leave the chamber for one hour.
The member for Grayndler then left the chamber
The member for North Sydney then left the chamber
Given the fact that the matters raised by the Leader of the House have been referred to the Procedure Committee, I think the Procedure Committee can look at the matters that have been raised.