Michael Keenan (Stirling, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Justice, Customs and Border Protection) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. Can the Prime Minister guarantee that no member of her staff has held discussions or meetings with New South Wales Labor Party officials in relation to the arrangements between the member for Dobell and the New South Wales Labor Party to pay his legal fees and provide him with loans?

Ms Anna Burke (Chisholm, Deputy-Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In respect of this matter, I think House of Representatives Practice is very clear:

are ruled out of order.

Christopher Pyne (Sturt, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise on a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. This is not a question about the Labor Party; it is a question about her office and what role her office has played in the arrangements between the member for Dobell and the New South Wales Labor Party. It is about her staff.

Ms Anna Burke (Chisholm, Deputy-Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My apologies. In the hubbub I actually did not hear the word 'staff'. In that respect, yes, the Prime Minister must answer as she is responsible for the actions of her staff. The Prime Minister.

Opposition members interjecting—

It is a very serious question and the 'death stare' will apply quite happily to anybody who does not want to listen to their leader give his address-in-reply this evening. The Prime Minister has the call.

Julia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The matters raised are not my responsibility, my staff's responsibility or the department's responsibility.