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

Before I ask my question, I'd like to associate the opposition with the remarks about the importance of mental health. There's plenty we disagree on but not the importance of tackling mental health. My question is to the Prime Minister. With an election due any day, a national unity on the rejection of racist hate speech never being more important than it is now, will the Prime Minister now direct every member of this government to put One Nation last?

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

I'm going to need to rule that question out of order because the Practice makes it very clear that the Prime Minister can only be asked questions on matters for which he's responsible, and that is not a responsibility of the Prime Minister. I'm prepared to hear from the Manager of Opposition Business on the subject.

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

There are two quick points that I'd submit on that. The first is, as I've put previously, during the Howard government years, the question was frequently asked, and, secondly—

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

I don't agree with all precedencies.

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

I respect that. Secondly, it has been the case where questions that were otherwise viewed by the Speaker as not being within standing orders, when the Prime Minister has wanted to answer them, have been allowed to proceed.

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

The subject matter of the question is not a responsibility of the Prime Minister. I'm afraid it's black and white. There are other occasions where prime ministers—

Mr Wood interjecting—

Member for La Trobe, it's okay; we'll get to you. Indeed, there may be occasions where the Prime Minister or ministers have wanted to answer questions that are out of order, but I could give you many examples where, even though that was the case, I didn't allow it because we have the standing orders and we have the rules. So I'm going to stick with my ruling.