Ms RISHWORTH (Kingston—Minister for Social Services) (14:49): In my capacity representing the Special Minister of State, I thank the member for his question. The growth in mis- and disinformation is widespread. It's not only on our shores but occurring in democracies around the world. Elections and referenda are a contest of ideas. However, the truth must be at the core. Last year, the Special Minister of State wrote to the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters and asked— The SPEAKER: Order! The minister will pause. The member for Clark on a point of order? Mr Wilkie: Speaker, on relevance: the essence of the question clearly goes to the Minister for Communications misleading the Australian community in the media yesterday. The SPEAKER: The minister is being relevant to the question, and under the standing orders she's entitled to answer it. Ms RISHWORTH: As I was saying to the member. last year the Special Minister of State wrote to the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters and asked that it inquire into the 2022 federal election and related matters, including the potential for truth-in-political-advertising— Mr Dutton: Mr Speaker, on the point of order, I have a question to you. As I understand the member for Clark's question, he is referring to comments made by the Minister for Communications, and he's asking for a response and clarification in relation to the comments made by the Minister for Communications, which is why the question is properly put to her. The SPEAKER: The Leader of the House? Mr Burke: Thanks, Mr Speaker. If the— Mr Dutton interjecting— The SPEAKER: Order, the Leader of the Opposition! We're just going to deal with this matter in a courteous way. Mr Burke: For any question to be asked in the House, it has to be to a minister, relating to their ministerial responsibilities. So the only way the question can be in order is for it to be answered by the minister who is representing the minister who has responsibility for the AEC. Page 549 of Practice makes it clear: If a question has been addressed to the incorrect Minister, the responsible Minister may answer— which is exactly what's happening. The SPEAKER: I did give the opportunity for the member, because of the subject content, to rephrase the question. He chose not to do that. The subject matter, because of the question—if he'd rephrased it just to the minister's interview or given the date, it wasn't— Honourable members interjecting— The SPEAKER: Well, I gave him the opportunity. He chose not to do that, so we'll just continue under the standing orders and the Practice for that to occur. Mr Wilkie: I did reword the question. The SPEAKER: Yes, but the question contained information about the Australian Electoral Commission. Under the standing orders and under the Practice, the way the question was phrased means the minister has the responsibility, and I'll just get her to conclude her answer. Ms RISHWORTH: Thank you, Speaker. Last year the Special Minister of State wrote— Honourable members interjecting— The SPEAKER: The minister will pause. I'll deal with one moment at a time. If someone's used unparliamentary language, I'll ask them to withdraw. I didn't hear what was happening, but anyway I'll deal with— Mr Wood interjecting— Mr Rob Mitchell interjecting— The SPEAKER: Order! The member for La Trobe and the member for McEwen will cease interjecting. The Leader of the Opposition is on his feet on a point of order. Mr Dutton: Mr Speaker, I think in the circumstances it would be appropriate, if I might say so, to ask the member for Clark now that he understands your point, because I don't think it was clear. To be fair, I don't think it was clear in the first instance. If, in the redrafting of his question, he doesn't make specific reference to the AEC, I don't see how the question couldn't be in order. The SPEAKER: I've explained the situation. I've explained the opportunity I gave to the member for Clark. I'll discuss it with him after question time to make sure he's crystal clear on the standing orders and the Practice moving forward. I'm just going to ask the minister to conclude her answer. Ms RISHWORTH: Last year the Special Minister of State wrote to the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters and asked that it inquire into the 2022 federal election and related matters, including the potential for truth-in-political-advertising laws to enhance the integrity and transparency of the electoral system. Of course— The SPEAKER: Order! The minister will pause. The member for Clark? Mr Wilkie: Mr Speaker, the government is attempting a cover-up, and I ask— The SPEAKER: Resume your seat. I will just ask the minister to conclude her answer. Ms RISHWORTH: Of course, the government will consider the recommendations and changes put forward by JSCEM in its final report. We welcome that report when it does come.