Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, who has responsibility for transport. I note Holden Managing Director Mike Devereaux's confirmation this morning that no decision has been made on Holden's future in Australia. I also refer the junior minister to the article in the Sunday Mail that states that the member for Mayo has briefed media outlets about 'Holden's apparent decision and demise'. When will the assistant minister stop undermining jobs in South Australia?

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

Madam Speaker, a point of order: the sentence that was the question—which was, 'When will the assistant minister stop undermining jobs in South Australia?'—is clearly out of order, as it is entirely an argument; it is not a question.

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I think I will allow the question. But I would simply say that to call someone the assistant minister and then to use the term 'junior minister'—tending to say it is a pejorative—is unacceptable.

Jamie Briggs (Mayo, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In dealing with the editorial there was no contact made with me prior to that claim being made, and it is false.

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I call the member for Moore—and this is his maiden question.