Brendan O'Connor (Gorton, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs (House)) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. Yesterday, Sky News reported two of the Prime Minister's best mates received $80,000 of taxpayer money, without a tender, to set up their own private sector quarantine business known as Quarantine Services Australia. Sky News also reported that Home Affairs secretary Mike Pezzullo told business leaders that this was a really important project for the Prime Minister. Is Mr Pezzullo right?

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

The Leader of the House, on a point of order?

Peter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There is an imputation that's implied quite clearly in the question that's been asked, and that is against the standing orders. That's the first point, Mr Speaker. If there are allegations to make, then those allegations should be put in another forum, not here in this House.

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

The Manager of Opposition Business?

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

Ministers are expected to be across media reports; that's in Practice. The question specifically goes to a media report and describes the source. It then refers to that particular payment being a priority for the Prime Minister as being attributed to the secretary of a department. It simply asks whether that is accurate. It goes no further than asking whether it was a really important project for the Prime Minister. So the extra layers that the Leader of the House is referring to are not in the question that was just asked.

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

Standing order 100(d)(iii) and (iv) refer to 'inferences' and 'imputations'. It's certainly sailing close to the wind. I will allow the Prime Minister to answer the question.

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

On the standing orders matter, that is a matter for the Speaker. I haven't seen this report that they refer to. What I can say is that at all times my ministers and I rightly declare any possible interest that may relate to matters that are being considered in the cabinet as the first standing item on every single agenda of every cabinet meeting. I call for that at every single meeting, as cabinet ministers will understand. I can't speak to comments made by others that I have no knowledge of whatsoever. All I know is that I have always fully disclosed any interests where they are relevant to any matter that I may be considering, and the suggestion otherwise is a disgraceful slur by a grubby opposition.