Mr BOWEN (McMahon) (14:37): My question is to the Deputy Prime Minister. On 1 February this year, the Deputy Prime Minister made a statement about his previous portfolio responsibility for housing in agricultural areas, saying that people who live in cities who can't afford to buy their first home should find a cheaper house in Armidale. Does he stand by that statement? And can the Deputy Prime Minister tell Australia's first-home buyers how they too can get a rent-free home in Armidale from their mates? The SPEAKER: That question's out of order. Opposition members interjecting— The SPEAKER: If members cease interjecting for a second, I will refer them to the aspect of the practice in the standing orders—I'm happy to stand corrected and hear from the Manager of Opposition Business, who's preparing to come to the dispatch box, but ministers can't be asked about their previous portfolios. Mr Burke: On a point of order: the question began with a reference to a statement that was made by the Deputy Prime Minister on 1 February this year where he made a further statement about a previous portfolio. That was the quotation the question was referring to. The question has been deliberately framed in the same way as the 2006 ruling that you previously adjudicated on: if someone makes a further statement about a previous portfolio, it is in order to ask whether that's accurate. The SPEAKER: Just before I hear from the Leader of the House, I'd like to hear the question again, to be fair. Mr BOWEN: Certainly, Mr Speaker. My question's to the Deputy Prime Minister. On 1 February this year, the Deputy Prime Minister made a statement about his previous portfolio responsibility for housing in agricultural areas, saying that people living in cities who can't afford to buy their first home— The SPEAKER: The member for McMahon can resume his seat. I've heard enough; we don't need to hear the whole thing again. I think technically that's right: the question does refer to a statement, and it's been crafted in a way that makes it just in order. I call the Deputy Prime Minister.