House debates Questions without Notice
Australian Water Holdings
Bill Shorten Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
2:31 pm
My question is to the Prime Minister, in light of the Prime Minister's immediate answer to a previous question—that former Assistant Treasurer Senator Sinodinos 'did the right thing', as the Prime Minister said. If it was the right thing to do, why was he appointed in the first place?
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
I really find that an extraordinary question, and not within the confines of the standing orders. If the Leader of the Opposition would like to rephrase his question, he may do so.
Bill Shorten Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
Madam Speaker, your editorialising about my question is not appropriate in all of the matter. I will rephrase the question, if it will help the chair. I hope this one meets with your approval.
Mr Snowdon interjecting—
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
The member for Lingiari will withdraw or leave.
Warren Snowdon Lingiari, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for External Territories
That woman over there—
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
He will leave forthwith, under 94(a).
Mr Snowdon interjecting—
Perhaps, if he is tempting, he may be away for longer.
The member for Lingiari then left the chamber.
Christopher Pyne Sturt, Liberal Party, Minister for Education
Madam Speaker, a point of order: I think the disrespectful tone with which the Leader of the Opposition's speaks to the chair is unacceptable. I know that he lacks parliamentary experience, and perhaps he does not realise how to treat the chair, but I think he is being disrespectful to the chair. He should change his attitude, and you should ask him to do so in the future.
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
Does the Manager of Opposition Business want the call?
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
I want to raise a point of order, but it is not on the point of order just raised by the Leader of the House, so I was waiting for you to rule on that before I did so, Madam Speaker.
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
It was not a point of order that required a ruling. The Leader of the House was making a point of order which I did not regard as having to rule upon. The Manager of Opposition Business.
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
With respect to the question asked by the Leader of the Opposition—it must be in order for members of the opposition to ask why the Prime Minister has appointed someone as a minister. That is the most basic job of a Prime Minister. The question went squarely to that, and if we are not allowed to ask about the core functions of the Prime Minister, then question time will have changed radically.
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
I have said to the Leader of the Opposition that he could rephrase his question and ask it.
Bill Shorten Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
And just on indulgence, in light of what the Leader of Government Business said—
Bill Shorten Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
I was just about to agree to adopt a more respectful tone.
Bill Shorten Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
My question to the Prime Minister is this: if the former Assistant Treasurer, Arthur Sinodinos, did the right and honourable thing—as the Prime Minister has just said he has—why was he appointed in the first place?
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
I have to say, I did not notice any change in the wording.
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
2:34 pm
Senator Sinodinos was appointed to the ministry because he is a man of great distinction—a man of great distinction and high competence, a decent and an honourable man. And he has demonstrated just what an honourable man he is by his actions earlier today.