House debates Questions without Notice
Deputy Prime Minister
Mark Dreyfus Isaacs, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Attorney General
2:39 pm
My question is to the Prime Minister. Every single day the Prime Minister has to make important decisions on issues critical to the future of our nation. Does the Prime Minister honestly consider there is no issue with the Deputy Prime Minister—
Mr Fletcher interjecting—
Tony Smith Speaker
The Minister for Urban Infrastructure will leave under 94(a). The member for Isaacs will begin his question again.
The member for Bradfield then left the chamber.
Mark Dreyfus Isaacs, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Attorney General
My question is to the Prime Minister. Every single day the Prime Minister has to make important decisions on issues critical to the future of our nation. Does the Prime Minister honestly consider there is no issue with leaving the Deputy Prime Minister in charge of the country when there are doubts over his qualifications to even be a member of this parliament? And why will the Prime Minister not answer whether the government has sought advice about the legality under section 64 of the Deputy Prime Minister's decisions?
Mr Pyne interjecting—
Malcolm Turnbull Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
2:40 pm
In accordance with longstanding practice, the Deputy Prime Minister will be Acting Prime Minister while I'm overseas, when I'm in Samoa tomorrow. But also in accordance with longstanding practice, as the honourable member knows, as Prime Minister I will continue to make all of those decisions that he referred to whether I am overseas or, indeed, at home.
Unidentified interjection - Hansard doesn't record who said this
Opposition Members:
Opposition members interjecting—