Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to his answer to my previous question. Is the reason that the Prime Minister has extended question time that he knows that he's lost control of the House of Representatives and he's fearful that a majority of members will support a royal commission into the disability sector to keep Australians with disability safe?

Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No, that is not the case. I'm not prepared to engage in creating partisanship around that issue. I'm not. The member raises the issue of question time today. It is true that there was a question time back in 2009—I remember it—

An in terjection having been made from the gallery

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Steele-John, you will not interject in this chamber. The Prime Minister will continue.

Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The opportunity is there before the Labor Party to raise questions before the government on matters of government policy and the government's achievements and plans. The Leader of the Opposition is basically surrendering, saying he's got nothing to say. He's got no alternative views. He's a hollow man. When he has been given the opportunity to stump up in this place and ask questions, he wants to run away. He doesn't want a question time.

I remember some pretty long question times when Kevin Rudd was Prime Minister. They used to go on for hours, and probably it was only one question that he answered during that time. Thankfully there are now time limits as a result of when the Labor Party used to go on for minutes and times immemorial, but here there is an opportunity for the opposition, if they're serious.

The government members are quite happy to raise these matters because there is much that we have done. Particularly, what is coming under scrutiny today is the weakness of the Labor Party all week—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Prime Minister will resume his seat. The Manager of Opposition Business on a point of order?

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Opposition Business (House)) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No, not a point of order, Mr Speaker; a procedural motion. In accordance with standing order 66—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No, the Manager of Opposition Business will resume his seat. He will not do that midway through an answer.

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Opposition Business (House)) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

A point of order.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No, you've now flagged what you're trying to do. You're not going to interrupt someone answering a question; otherwise it will never end, and you'll have procedural motions on your questions. The Prime Minister will continue.

Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I remind the House that it was the Labor Party today that did not want to have a matter of public importance debate. That is normally the practice of this House at this time. Not only do they not want to have question time; they do not even want to debate a matter of public importance of their own nomination. How bankrupt have the opposition become, both on policy and on any other terms, when they cannot identify an issue they want to debate in the House and don't even want to ask questions of the government? If the Labor Party can't manage opposition, how on earth would they manage government if they were given the chance?