House debates Questions without Notice
Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
2:30 pm
I refer to the Prime Minister's previous answer, where he confirmed that the Sir Garfield Barwick address was 'a Liberal Party fundraiser'. In the other place a few moments ago, the Attorney-General said, 'It is not a political function.' Prime Minister, who is right—you or the Attorney-General? Is it a Liberal Party function or is it not?
Tony Smith Speaker
Before I call the Prime Minister, that question is at risk of straying outside the standing orders. The Prime Minister is not responsible for Liberal Party branch functions—
Opposition members interjecting—
When the interjections cease, I will call the member for Watson. Member for Watson.
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
Mr Speaker, as you are aware, within Practice, it is in order for us to question and follow up when the minister or Prime Minister has already provided information in question time, which is exactly what this question does.
Christopher Pyne Sturt, Liberal Party, Leader of the House
But, to the point of order, Mr Speaker, the Prime Minister is also not responsible for the answers that are given in another place by another person in the parliament.
Opposition members interjecting—
Christopher Pyne Sturt, Liberal Party, Leader of the House
Therefore, while the House has been very generous with the opposition, they need to tighten up their questioning if they wish them to be in order.
Tony Smith Speaker
I am going to ask the member for Watson to rephrase the question.
Mr Champion interjecting—
The member for Wakefield has been warned.
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
I refer to the Prime Minister's previous answer, where he confirmed that the Sir Garfield Barwick address was a Liberal Party fundraiser. Members of his cabinet, for which he is responsible, have ventured other opinions, stating it is not a political function. Prime Minister, is it a function of the Liberal Party, as you described in your previous answer, or is it not?
Tony Smith Speaker
I will call the Prime Minister so he can answer the question.
The member for Rankin has been warned.
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
2:32 pm
In response to the member who asked the question, I offered absolutely no judgement or no opinion as to the event in question.
Pat Conroy Charlton, Australian Labor Party
You said it was a Liberal fundraiser.
Tony Smith Speaker
The Prime Minister will resume his seat. The member for Charlton will leave the House under 94(a). He has already been warned.
The member for Charlton then left the chamber.
Government members interjecting—
Members on my right will cease clapping.
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
What I did say is that I will gladly defend the integrity of the royal commission. The royal commissioner had withdrawn from this event before I was even aware of it.
Mr Bowen interjecting—
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
The royal commissioner had withdrawn from the event before I was aware of it, so I am happy to defend the integrity of the royal commissioner. If members opposite want to debate the royal commission, let's bring it on, because what the royal commission has done is shine a light into some dark corners of our public life where union officials have ripped off workers to help themselves. There should be no place for that in our society—
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
Tony Smith Speaker
The Prime Minister has concluded the answer. Is this a point of order?
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
No, it is not.
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
No, no—I am allowed to seek leave to table a document. I seek leave to table an invitation to a Liberal Party fundraiser—
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
which states, 'All proceeds from this event will be applied to state election campaigns.'
Tony Smith Speaker
The member for Watson will resume his seat. I call the member for Lyons.
An honourable member interjecting—
I warn members on my left about the use of props. I call the member for Lyons.