House debates Questions without Notice
Sinodinos, Senator Arthur
Bill Shorten Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
2:16 pm
My question is to the Prime Minister. At 8 am yesterday morning, Senator Sinodinos told a journalist from The Wall Street Journalthat he was 'batting on'. What changed between yesterday morning, when the Prime Minister supported the former Assistant Treasurer's decision to bat on, and yesterday afternoon, when the Prime Minister supported Senator Sinodinos's decision to stand aside?
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
2:17 pm
I am happy to have question after question on this subject from the Leader of the Opposition.
Unidentified interjection - Hansard doesn't record who said this
Opposition Members:
Opposition members interjecting—
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
Order! We will have quiet on my left and my right.
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
I am happy to have question after question on this subject from the Leader of the Opposition, because what is on display in the parliament today is the difference between—
Mark Dreyfus Isaacs, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Attorney General
Because you are unwilling to answer!
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
this government and its predecessor. When these sorts of issues arose—
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. Under the old standing order 104, which only referred to relevance, this answer would already be out of order. Under direct relevance, the word 'direct' needs to mean something and he should be brought to the question.
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
I thank the Manager of Opposition Business for his point of order. I have indeed used it myself—it was treated the same way. However, the Prime Minister has the call.
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
When issues of this nature arise, this government does the right and the honourable thing, as Senator Sinodinos did yesterday. He did the right and the honourable thing. That is not just my judgement. It is also the judgement of Kelvin Thomson—I cannot remember his seat—
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
The member for Wills. But it is also the judgement of the member for Wills.
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. Under standing order 91(c), the Prime Minister is persistently refusing to abide by the standing orders. Question time is here for him to respond to questions, he—
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
The member will resume his seat. Points of order may not be points of debate.
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
What is the ruling on my point of order?
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
Plainly, Senator Sinodinos has done the right and the honourable thing, and that is not just my judgement but also that is the judgement of the member for Wills, who said this morning at the doors, 'Stepping aside in the face of an inquiry like the ICAC inquiry is the right thing to do'. And he added—good on the member for Wills—'And there is plenty of precedent for it'. Not too much precedent on that side of the House, I hasten to add.