House debates Questions without Notice

Qualifications of Members and Senators

Tuesday, 5 September 2017 House of Representatives

Mr Tony Burke

Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance

2:07 pm

My question is to the Prime Minister. In the last answer, the Prime Minister answered with respect to a different section of the Constitution, so I ask now: has the Prime Minister received advice as to whether there is any legal risk to the ministerial actions of the Deputy Prime Minister, Senator Nash or Senator Canavan because of section 64 of the Australian Constitution?

Malcolm Turnbull

Malcolm Turnbull Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister

I can assure the honourable member that I am fully aware of section 64 of the Constitution. It's been there for quite a long time. I can assure the honourable member that the government is very satisfied that the ministers he's referred to are fully entitled to serve as ministers, just as they are entitled to serve in this parliament.