House debates Questions without Notice
Leaders Debate Commission
Robert Oakeshott Lyne, Independent
2:31 pm
My question is to the Prime Minister, with the standing opportunity for indulgence from others.
Robert Oakeshott Lyne, Independent
It was taken up earlier by others. Is the Prime Minister committed to a leaders debate commission as agreed in 2010? If so, why hasn't the matter progressed?
Julia Gillard Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister
2:32 pm
I thank the member for his question. The government is committed to a leaders debate commission. We are committed to it. We are open to progressing discussions about it. I will certainly look forward to debating the Leader of the Opposition on many occasions.
Robert Oakeshott Lyne, Independent
Speaker, I ask a supplementary question. Will the Prime Minister agree, with others in the chamber, in light of the answer given, to table all correspondence between leadership teams and head offices on all matters related to accountable and open government and election debates in 2013?
Julia Gillard Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister
These matters have been pursued, as I am advised, between the National Secretary of the Labor Party and his counterpart, Mr Loughnane. I must admit I could not tell the House how much of that has been in writing and how much of that has been in periodic discussions which the national secretaries have. But let me be very clear. We certainly are committed to a leaders debate commission, and I will certainly look forward to debating the Leader of the Opposition on a number of occasions.