Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for the Arts) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

While the Treasurer is still in the room, Mr Speaker, I have a question for you. As I raised with you during question time, Practice says:

If a Minister quotes from a document relating to public affairs, a Member may ask for it—

Hon. Members:

Honourable members interjecting—

Andrew Wallace (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Manager of Opposition Business, I'll just get you to start the question again once—

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for the Arts) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Well, that means that he's gone, and the document's gone with him.

Andrew Wallace (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Well, I can't hear you when—

Opposition members interjecting—

Order on my left! The Manager of Opposition Business.

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for the Arts) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I'll quote from Practice. It is relevant to whether the Treasurer should have tabled a document that he's now taken from the House, as I provided to you during question time. Page 510 of Practice says:

If a Minister quotes from a document relating to public affairs, a Member may ask for it to be presented to the House. The document must be presented unless the Minister states that it is of a confidential nature. This rule does not apply to private Members.

I put to you, Mr Speaker, that the Treasurer did not state that the document was of a confidential nature; he stated the exact opposite and then refused to table it, which is in breach of a very clear statement in Practice.

Andrew Wallace (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the Manager of Opposition Business. I have dealt with that issue already.

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

Andrew Wallace (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Members on my left! I have dealt with that issue.