House debates Questions without Notice
Donations to Political Parties
Jason Clare Blaxland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Communications
2:47 pm
My question is to the Prime Minister. Media reports state that a trust linked to a Chinese donor made a $50,000 donation to former trade and investment minister Andrew Robb's fundraising vehicle, the Bayside Forum, on the exact same day that Mr Robb finalised the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement. Does the Prime Minister seriously expect the Australian people to believe that it was just a coincidence that a Chinese donor paid $50,000 to Mr Robb's fundraising vehicle on the exact same day that he finalised the China-Australia FTA?
Christopher Pyne Sturt, Liberal Party, Leader of the House
Mr Speaker, I simply ask you the question: how is this within the responsibility of the Prime Minister? He was not asked a question—
Opposition members interjecting—
Christopher Pyne Sturt, Liberal Party, Leader of the House
The Prime Minister was not asked a question about the ministerial code of conduct; he was asked an entirely separate question that does not bear on his responsibilities whatsoever.
Tony Smith Speaker
Does the Manager of Opposition Business wish to make a contribution?
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
Yes, I do, Mr Speaker. The question goes to the free trade agreement.
Christopher Pyne Sturt, Liberal Party, Leader of the House
No, it does not.
Tony Smith Speaker
The Leader of the House has had his say. He will now listen in silence. The Manager of Opposition Business.
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
The question goes directly to the free trade agreement—a major agreement signed between Australia and China—and the circumstances under which it was signed. That is what the question goes very directly to, and to the motivations of the government at that time.
Tony Smith Speaker
I listened to the question very carefully. Yesterday I made it very clear that questions needed to go to the Prime Minister's direct responsibility. I do appreciate the point the Manager of Opposition Business makes about the Australia-China Free Trade Agreement, but the question did not go to the Prime Minister's responsibility. The question was about whether this was a coincidence or not. That is just, I think, a fishing trip that means it is out of order on this occasion.