House debates Questions without Notice
Diplomatic Protocol
Malcolm Turnbull Wentworth, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition
2:50 pm
My question is addressed to the Prime Minister. I refer again to the leak to the Australian of the conversation between the Prime Minister and the United States President. I note that, if that conversation were leaked by a public servant other than with the authority of the Prime Minister, this could constitute an offence under section 70 of the Crimes Act and, if by a ministerial staffer, an offence under section 79. I ask the Prime Minister: why hasn’t the Federal Police been asked to investigate these leaks? Is it because, in truth, it was the Prime Minister who was the leaker?
Anthony Albanese Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House
Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order. Standing order 100(d)(vii) has clearly been breached by the opening half of that question.
Harry Jenkins Speaker
Order! I have more problem with the last part of the question than the earlier part. I would be happy to rule the first part in order, but the last part involved an inference and accusation which I think is—
Malcolm Turnbull Wentworth, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition
I can rephrase the question, Mr Speaker.
Harry Jenkins Speaker
I think we can take the first part as in order but the last part, about the inference and accusation, is ruled out of order. I call the Prime Minister.
Kevin Rudd Griffith, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister
As I indicated in earlier answers to the member for Wentworth, the purpose of my call to the President of the United States was to—
Malcolm Turnbull Wentworth, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition
Mr Speaker, on a point of order: I am very happy to refer to the gentleman opposite as the member for Griffith, if he would like to do that; if he wants to be ‘the Prime Minister’ he should address me as ‘the Leader of the Opposition’.
Daryl Melham Banks, Australian Labor Party
Where is it in the Constitution, Malcolm?
Unidentified interjection - Hansard doesn't record who said this
Honourable Members:
Don Randall Canning, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Energy and Resources
Mr Randall interjecting
Harry Jenkins Speaker
Order! The member for Canning is not assisting. The member for Banks, if giving constitutional advice, will act more like a High Court judge! On the point raised in the point of order by the Leader of the Opposition, members must be referred to by their titles, and it has been the practice of the House that the appropriate title is the parliamentary title or the ministerial title that they hold. It would suit the practices of the House for that to continue, that those who have a parliamentary title be referred to by that title.
Simon Crean Hotham, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade
There was another practice—
Harry Jenkins Speaker
Order! I simply say to the Minister for Trade that I am not interested in other practices, I am interested in the practice used now.
Simon Crean Hotham, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade
Mr Crean interjecting
Harry Jenkins Speaker
The Minister for Trade is incorrigible! The Prime Minister has the call.
Kevin Rudd Griffith, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister
I thank the Right Honourable Leader of the Opposition, the Right Honourable Leader of Her Majesty’s most loyal opposition, for his question—and the member for Wentworth. As I have made clear and the White House has made clear and the US ambassador has made clear, the reported comment was never made and was inaccurate. Any suggestion that the President was not fully aware of the role of the G20 is not accurate. And that has been my position throughout.
Malcolm Turnbull Wentworth, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition
Mr Speaker, a point of order on relevance: the question related to the Federal Police. The Prime Minister did not even refer to the Federal Police—
Harry Jenkins Speaker
Order! The Leader of the Opposition will resume his seat. The Prime Minister has concluded his answer and the member for Kingston is eagerly awaiting the call.