QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE › Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry
Mr PORTER (Pearce—Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Leader of the House) (14:15): It might be slightly unusual for the Leader of the House to take a point of order on a question to him as Leader of the House but that clearly is a question that needs to be directed to the minister responsible for those bills. The SPEAKER: The Manager of Opposition Business on a point of order. Mr Burke: The role of Leader of the House is meant to be a real job. As part of that job, members of parliament are able to ask about the legislation on— Mr Wood interjecting— The SPEAKER: The Manager of Opposition Business can pause. The member for La Trobe can cease interjecting. We make very clear with these points of order. We need to go directly to the point of order. I'm not at all interested in the commentary. I'm giving fair warning. Just go straight to the point of order. Mr Burke: It has always been in order to ask the Leader of the House about the business of the House regardless of what portfolio that business falls into otherwise. Mr Bowen: Christopher Pyne would've loved that! The SPEAKER: Member for McMahon, you're testing not just my patience. I'll make two points. Whilst it's unorthodox, certainly the Manager of Opposition Business well knows I've seen many examples where that has occurred. But practice also makes very clear, and I can point out to ministers, that they are entitled, if a question relates to another portfolio, to refer that to a relevant minister if they wish to. That's a right they have. I will leave it in the hands of the Leader of the House whether he wishes to answer it or refer it to a relevant minister. Mr PORTER: I'm happy to leave it in the hands of the Treasurer.