Mr FITZGIBBON (Hunter) (14:38): My question is to the Deputy Prime Minister. Why is it that yesterday, when the rest of the parliament was focused only on memorialising bushfire victims, National Party ministers and members were more focused on fighting amongst themselves? The SPEAKER: The Leader of the House? Mr Porter: Even on the broadest interpretation, that can't be related to the ministerial duties of the Deputy Prime Minister. The SPEAKER: I'll just hear from the Manager of Opposition Business. And, given how—unusually—the question was short, I might ask for it to be read again, if that's okay. Mr Burke: Thank you. The question asks about the actions of ministers. That's what it specifically asks about. It asks about National Party ministers, and the person the question is directed to is a National Party minister. The SPEAKER: Yes. But I think the problem with that question is that the Deputy Prime Minister can only be responsible for his portfolio area; he can't answer with respect to other ministers' responsibilities. An honourable member interjecting— The SPEAKER: He is the Deputy Prime Minister. The big point is he's not the Prime Minister. That's the point. The Prime Minister can be asked anything, and every other minister can only be asked—so it's an unbridgeable gap, I have to say. I'll go to the next question. An honourable member interjecting— The SPEAKER: A little bit of time for reflection is often good; that's all. The Leader of the Opposition on a point of order? Mr Albanese: I rise on a point of order, Mr Speaker. Perhaps the Deputy Prime Minister might want to answer this question? The SPEAKER: The Leader of the Opposition will resume his seat. I made the point to a former Prime Minister who wanted to answer a question that wasn't in order that I really didn't care if they wanted to answer it or not. If it is out of order, I am not going to allow the question; otherwise, it makes a mockery of standing orders.