Mr SHORTEN (Maribyrnong—Leader of the Opposition) (14:45): My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to concerns raised by Senator Heffernan, the Prime Minister's representative on the Liberal Party's nomination review committee, about the activities of former Assistant Treasurer Senator Sinodinos and Australian Water Holdings. Did Senator Heffernan ever raise his concerns with the Prime Minister before Senator Sinodinos was appointed to the Abbott ministry? Mr Pyne: Madam Speaker, I raise a point of order. I refer you to page 554 of House of Representatives Practice— Opposition members interjecting— The SPEAKER: Order! There will be silence on my left. Mr Pyne: Madam Speaker, I refer you to page 554 of House of Representatives Practice, which states: A Minister can only be questioned on matters for which he or she is responsible or officially connected. The first dot-point to indicate questions or parts of questions that have been ruled out of order reads: statements, activities, actions or decisions of the Minister’s own party or of its conferences, officials, representatives or candidates, or of those of other parties… Madam Speaker, I would put to you that the question that was put to the Prime Minister is not within his area of responsibility, and former Speakers have ruled out of order questions to do with internal party matters. Therefore, I believe the question— Mr Burke: Madam Speaker, on the point of order, it would be extraordinary to rule that the Prime Minister is not responsible for who he appoints to his ministry. The SPEAKER: The question as it was put, in the words that the Leader of the Opposition used, related to a party-political appointment, not to a ministerial appointment. Mr Burke interjecting— The SPEAKER: The Manager of Opposition Business will resume his seat. If the Leader of the Opposition wishes to rephrase his question so as not to offend the standing orders, he may do so. Mr SHORTEN: I think we all know what the issue is that I am asking about: did Senator Heffernan ever raise his concerns with the Prime Minister before Senator Sinodinos was appointed to the Abbott ministry?