House debates Questions without Notice
Special Minister of State
Bill Shorten Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
2:48 pm
My question is to the Prime Minister. In former Prime Minister Abbott's ministry, Senator Sinodinos had to stand aside. Since then the new Prime Minister has appointed a Special Minister of State, a person who, by his own admission on 60 Minutes, has engaged in behaviour incompatible with the responsibilities that he now holds. Are the standards of this Prime Minister lower than the standards of Tony Abbott?
Tony Smith Speaker
The Leader of the Opposition will refer to members by their correct titles.
Mark Dreyfus Isaacs, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Attorney General
Mr Speaker, on a point of order—
Tony Smith Speaker
No. The member for Isaacs will resume his seat. I have asked the Leader of the Opposition to refer to members by their correct titles. He did not refer to the member for Warringah by his correct title.
Bill Shorten Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
My question is to the Prime Minister. In former Prime Minister Abbott's ministry, Senator Sinodinos had to stand aside. Since then the new Prime Minister has appointed a Special Minister of State, a person who, by their own admission on 60 Minutes, has clearly engaged in behaviour incompatible with the responsibilities that they now hold. Are the standards of this Prime Minister lower than the standards of the member of Warringah?
Malcolm Turnbull Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
2:50 pm
I thank the honourable member for his question. I note his keen interest in high parliamentary standards. He has led by example for many years. I say to the honourable member that the standards of conduct, as set out in the minister standards, are unchanged, as he well knows.