House debates Questions without Notice
Minister for Agriculture
Joel Fitzgibbon Hunter, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Agriculture
3:05 pm
My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer him to Friday's revelation that the Minister for Agriculture previously sought to influence the conduct of litigation involving his benefactor, Gina Rinehart. Has the Prime Minister counselled the minister that any personal intervention in similar court cases in the future would be inappropriate. And, Prime Minister—
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
The member is totally out of order. The question is out of order, and he knows it is out of order.
Joel Fitzgibbon Hunter, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Agriculture
On what basis, Madam Speaker?
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. For a long time in this House it has been appropriate to ask the Prime Minister about the Ministerial Code of Conduct. You interrupted the member for Hunter at the exact point he was asking about the Ministerial Code of Conduct.
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
I will hear from the Leader of Government Business.
Christopher Pyne Sturt, Liberal Party, Leader of the House
Far be it for me to help the Manager of Opposition Business in question time, but the question was about a period of time in which the member for New England was not actually a minister of this House. Therefore, it is not a matter within the purview of the Prime Minister's responsibility.
Joel Fitzgibbon Hunter, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Agriculture
Madam Speaker, if it assists the House I would be happy to rephrase the question.
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
No. You were asking a question about a matter for which the Prime Minister has no responsibility. Under section 98 and under standing order 98 it is out of order. I call the honourable member for Casey.