Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm wondering whether it is possible to seek clarification from you, President, in relation to two issues during question time. On the primary question I asked and the second supplementary question asked by Senator McKenzie, you indicated that you believed that the questions were outside the ministerial responsibility of the minister who was representing the Prime Minister. I was just wondering if I could seek clarification as to who you believe the question should have been directed to.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I think 'believe' is the wrong term to use. I sought the advice of the Clerk. I was advised and I did explain, perhaps not as clearly when you asked your question but certainly when Senator McKenzie asked hers, that it is not within the portfolio of the ministers in this chamber to make comment on the management of the House of Representatives. Therefore, it was outside of their portfolios, and I advised you and Senator McKenzie at the time that I sought the advice of the Clerk.

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I understand and I refer to this point on that matter. The matter that Senator McKenzie and I were trying to determine was an action that was taken by the Labor Party, the executive, the government of this country in relation to an action that had been taken in this place. Yesterday afternoon the Senate made a determination in relation to—

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Is this a point of order?

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm seeking clarification—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Ruston, your question went to matters in the House. It went to matters in the House.

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm seeking clarification. The matter actually related to an action that took place in this chamber yesterday afternoon. Could you give me some direction as to where we would direct that question?

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have given you direction, and this is the last time I'm going to do it because I have made my decision. You are either dissenting from my decision or accepting it. I was very clear that the matter that you were referring to was about the management of the House. It's irrelevant where a motion may or may not have been passed. Your question went directly to what you allege were threats made in the House. That is what I responded to. On the advice of the Clerk, it is outside their portfolio. Now, I have answered the question. If you have further questions, I would invite you to write to me.

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you very much. On the second point that I was seeking clarification on, I was just wondering if you would give us some direction about the practice that you're going to adopt in terms of the order of the call. It's been practice that the order of the call is provided to the Chair, which I believe was provided at the start at question time. Whether you intend for that practice in question time, particularly as it relates to questions 11 to 15, what is the practice you are going to adopt in this chamber?

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Ruston, I'm not quite sure I understand your question. At the outset I informed the chamber—

Don't argue with me. If you're seeking clarification, it's actually your turn to listen. I informed the chamber when we got to question 11 that I had received an email from the government setting out the order and that I had assumed that that order was agreed to by the chamber. I have not participated, nor is it my role to participate, in debates or discussions across the chamber. I was given the order by the government, and that's the order I went to. There were no objections, so I'm assuming the order I got was to the satisfaction of the chamber.