House debates Questions without Notice
Special Minister of State
Tanya Plibersek Sydney, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition
2:40 pm
My question is to the Prime Minister. Given the Special Minister of State misled the parliament yesterday and has misled the parliament again today, why hasn't the Prime Minister sacked the Special Minister of State?
Malcolm Turnbull Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
I thank the honourable member for her question. She would be very well aware, as indeed would the shadow Attorney-General be very well aware, that guilt or innocence is not determined by public denunciation, here or anywhere else. The minister has answered the questions put to him. I thank the opposition for their interest in this matter. They should understand that the facts relating to the Ashby affair occurred some years ago. The evidence, the facts of the matter and the circumstances—
Mr Conroy interjecting—
Ms Butler interjecting—
Tony Smith Speaker
The Prime Minister will resume his seat. The member for Charlton and the member for Griffith will leave under 94(a). I have warned as much as I possibly can about interjecting during these answers that I am trying to listen to. The Prime Minister has the call.
The member s for Charlton and Griffith then left the chamber.
Mr Danby interjecting—
The member for Melbourne Ports will leave under 94(a).
The member for Melbourne Ports then left the chamber.
Malcolm Turnbull Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
The facts and the circumstances relating to these events, as you know, have been very well known for some years. The evidence or the information about them has been in the public domain for some time. There have been no new developments—
Ms Burke interjecting—
Malcolm Turnbull Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
no changes or additions to that material. If there are new developments—
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order.
Malcolm Turnbull Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
I have, Mr Speaker.