Karen Andrews (McPherson, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Home Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

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) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I really appreciate that question.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

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) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

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) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

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) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I was informed of this on 15 December, and the Prime Minister's office was informed immediately after that.