Marles, Richard, MP

Mr MARLES (Corio—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (14:57): My question is again to the Prime Minister and I refer to the Prime Minister's previous answer, refusing to concede certain facts about the minister for customs. So, to authenticate those facts, will the Prime Minister agree to the tabling of the following documents: an invitation from the Pinnacle club, the Pinnacle club's AEC return, the AEC Transparency Register, the contact details of the assistant minister on the Department of Home Affairs website, and the ministerial standards? The SPEAKER: There's a very big problem with that question, I've got to say—that is, you can ask a question, and you can seek leave to table documents; documents are tabled— Mr Robert interjecting— The SPEAKER: The Minister for the NDIS—he's not helping, okay? He's not helping at all. I don't think it's permissible to ask the Prime Minister whether he'll agree to something. I mean, you need to seek leave. That's the way things operate. I'm happy to hear from the Manager of Opposition Business. He might have something miraculous I haven't thought of! Mr Burke: You're setting the bar pretty high! Mr Speaker, I rise to take a point of order. First of all, the Prime Minister, specifically, in his answer, which the question refers to, expressed doubt as to the claims that were made in the previous answer. Secondly, with respect to tabling, there are two ways a document can be tabled. One is by seeking leave, which private members can do; the second would be for the Prime Minister himself to table the documents because, as a member of the executive, he has a right that we do not have, and that is within the power of the Prime Minister as a member of the executive. The SPEAKER: But that's not what the question asked. Mr Burke: The question asked whether he would agree to the tabling of them. It did not seek leave— The SPEAKER: Hang on! Hang on! Stop right there. The question didn't say, 'If I hand you these documents, will you table them?' It didn't. You're right—ministers can table documents, do table documents, without leave. The only way they could be tabled would be for the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to seek leave to have them tabled, and leave is either given or it's denied. Don't start again! The Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Mr Marles: Thank you, Mr Speaker. I seek leave— Mr Porter interjecting— The SPEAKER: No, he can seek leave. He's asked the question. Now we'll have the answer. Mr Marles: I seek leave— Honourable members interjecting— The SPEAKER: No, the question is out of order. Mr Marles: I know. I'm seeking leave— Honourable members interjecting— The SPEAKER: It'll now alternate— An opposition member: He's not asking for a question. Mr Robert interjecting— Mr Dutton interjecting— The SPEAKER: No, I don't need the help of the Minister for Home Affairs and the Minister for the NDIS. No, that's right. The question's out of order. It's concluded. Let's just not waste time. Just seek leave, if that's what you want. Yes, you've got the call. Mr Marles: I seek leave to table an invitation from the Pinnacle Club. Leave not granted. Mr Marles: I seek leave— The SPEAKER: No, you can't. You're not going to do it, one after another after another. We're not going to do that. I've known you a long time, but you're wearing out the welcome! The member for Herbert has the call.