House debates

Monday, 8 February 2016

Questions without Notice

Prime Minister

2:35 pm

Photo of Tanya PlibersekTanya Plibersek (Sydney, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition) Share this | | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. When the Prime Minister rolled the member for Warringah, he said that it was because the former Prime Minister had failed—

Photo of Tony SmithTony Smith (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

The member for Sydney will resume her seat. I am going to give the member for Sydney an opportunity to rephrase the start of that question.

Mr Snowdon interjecting

The member for Lingiari will cease interjecting.

Photo of Tanya PlibersekTanya Plibersek (Sydney, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition) Share this | | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. When the Prime Minister deposed the member for Warringah he said it was because the former Prime Minister had failed to provide economic leadership. Jennifer Hewett writes in today's Australian Financial Review:

Turnbull himself now risks looking like a political leader without the courage of his convictions. Or worse, no convictions at all.

Is this the kind of leadership the Prime Minister was speaking about— (Time expired)

Photo of Christopher PyneChristopher Pyne (Sturt, Liberal Party, Leader of the House) Share this | | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order. That question was all preamble and no question. I am not sure how the Prime Minister could answer it.

Photo of Tony SmithTony Smith (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

There was no question asked.

Government members interjecting

The members on my right will cease interjecting.

Mr Chester interjecting

The member for Gippsland is warned.

Photo of Mr Tony BurkeMr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, on a point of order: it is my understanding that the clock had not been reset at the beginning of the question.

Photo of Tony SmithTony Smith (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

My understanding is that it was paused. There was no question, unfortunately. I am going to move to the next question.