House debates Questions without Notice
National Party of Australia
Joel Fitzgibbon Hunter, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Resources
2:38 pm
My question is to the Deputy Prime Minister. Why is it that yesterday, when the rest of the parliament was focused only on memorialising bushfire victims, National Party ministers and members were more focused on fighting amongst themselves?
Christian Porter Pearce, Liberal Party, Attorney-General
Even on the broadest interpretation, that can't be related to the ministerial duties of the Deputy Prime Minister.
Tony Smith Speaker
I'll just hear from the Manager of Opposition Business. And, given how—unusually—the question was short, I might ask for it to be read again, if that's okay.
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for the Arts
Thank you. The question asks about the actions of ministers. That's what it specifically asks about. It asks about National Party ministers, and the person the question is directed to is a National Party minister.
Tony Smith Speaker
Yes. But I think the problem with that question is that the Deputy Prime Minister can only be responsible for his portfolio area; he can't answer with respect to other ministers' responsibilities.
An honourable member interjecting—
He is the Deputy Prime Minister. The big point is he's not the Prime Minister. That's the point. The Prime Minister can be asked anything, and every other minister can only be asked—so it's an unbridgeable gap, I have to say. I'll go to the next question.
An honourable member interjecting—
A little bit of time for reflection is often good; that's all. The Leader of the Opposition on a point of order?
Anthony Albanese Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
I rise on a point of order, Mr Speaker. Perhaps the Deputy Prime Minister might want to answer this question?
Tony Smith Speaker
The Leader of the Opposition will resume his seat. I made the point to a former Prime Minister who wanted to answer a question that wasn't in order that I really didn't care if they wanted to answer it or not. If it is out of order, I am not going to allow the question; otherwise, it makes a mockery of standing orders.