Mr MARLES (Corio) (14:21): My question is to the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection. In light of the minister's previous answer—and, indeed, his answers over the last week—why does the minister even bother turning up to question time? Mr Pyne: Madam Speaker, on a point of order: there is some latitude given to opposition questioning, particularly new oppositions who are getting used to it, but that is not a question to the minister—it is not about responsibilities. It is simply a smear and it should be ruled out of order. Mr Burke: Madam Speaker, on the point of order: it is completely in order. It is telling that the Leader of the House could not refer to Practice or refer to a standing order. This goes to the very basis of whether or not a minister has arrived here to answer questions, and the opposition has every right to question why on earth he is here. The SPEAKER: I intend to deal with the issue. Under standing order 100(d), questions must not contain arguments, inferences, imputation, insults, irony or hypothetical matter. I think the question fails on at least four issues. If the minister has a question and would like to rephrase it so it has some substance and is within the standing orders I would give him that opportunity. Mr Burke: Madam Speaker? The SPEAKER: I give the call to the Manager of Opposition Business, if he has something of substance to say. Mr Burke: The concern from the opposition was the question. If that is your ruling, it will be no different to the other answers we did not get anyway. The SPEAKER: I find that comment of the Manager of Opposition Business offensive and he will withdraw. Mr Burke: I withdraw, but it was not directed to you at all— The SPEAKER: Well, I took it that way. Mr Burke: it was directed to the minister. The SPEAKER: I took it that way. Mr Burke: No, it was absolutely directed to the minister. The SPEAKER: The member will resume his seat. I offered the member for Corio the opportunity to rephrase his question, should he wish. If he does not wish, I call the member for Dawson.