House debates Questions without Notice
Immigration Detention
Karen Andrews McPherson, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Home Affairs
3:12 pm
My question is to the Prime Minister. Prime Minister, when was your office made aware that the Minister for Home Affairs had allowed the designation of Nauru as a regional processing country to lapse last October?
Clare O'Neil Hotham, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Home Affairs
I really appreciate that question.
Milton Dick Speaker
The member for McEwen will leave the chamber.
The member for McEwen then left the chamber.
The Leader of the Opposition on a point of order.
Peter Dutton Dickson, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition
Just a query of you. The question was asked of the Prime Minister when his office was made aware that the minister had failed in her duty. The minister can't answer that question on behalf of the Prime Minister.
Milton Dick Speaker
Under Practice the Prime Minister can ask another minister to address a question. It has long been the practice in this parliament and particularly in previous parliaments that I have served in.
Clare O'Neil Hotham, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Home Affairs
I was informed of this on 15 December, and the Prime Minister's office was informed immediately after that.