Mr TURNBULL (Wentworth—Prime Minister) (14:46): I thank the honourable member for his question about negative gearing. Recognising its central relevance to housing affordability, I invite the Minister for Social Services to provide him with some further details on affordability. Opposition members interjecting— Mr Burke: Mr Speaker— Government members interjecting— The SPEAKER: The minister will resume his seat for a second. Members on my left and right will cease interjecting. Mr Swan: The next Treasurer. The cat's out of the bag. The SPEAKER: The member for Lilley will cease interjecting. The Manager of Opposition Business on a point of order? Mr Burke: Thank you, Mr Speaker. I think we are just as surprised as the Treasurer by what has just happened here. While the Prime Minister can provide a question to the relevant minister, there is no precedent for him providing it to a minister who does not have portfolio coverage of what the question goes to, which is exactly what has just happened. The SPEAKER: I will hear from the Leader of the House. Mr Pyne: Mr Speaker, the standing orders are very clear that the Prime Minister can direct the question to any member of the front bench that he chooses. Fortunately, in this government we have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to the people that the Prime Minister can choose from. Of course, the minister for housing is entirely appropriate, as would be, for example, the Minister for Small Business, the Assistant Treasurer, the Treasurer or, indeed, myself as the Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science. The Prime Minister has chosen to do so; he is entirely in order. The SPEAKER: That is right. The Prime Minister did not direct it to the Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, but the point you make is quite right under the standing orders and under the practice. I call the Minister for Social Services.