Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Hansard source

On the basis of what the member for Sturt has put to me, I disagree. I think that in neither case is the Prime Minister responsible. In fact, as I have consistently said, for an individual member, a backbench member—and I stress this and underline it: a backbench member, not a member of the executive—I believe the Prime Minister has no responsibility. I know that examples have been given under other administrations but that has been about the actions of members of the executive government. I, if you will remember, ruled questions out of order on the previous member for Robertson and I have referred to those rulings earlier where I believed that the House had indicated a different attitude. What I am now saying to you—and I said this late last week—is that I am reverting, having read Practice, to a belief that members of the executive are the responsibility of a Prime Minister, not backbench members.

Mr Abbott interjecting—

Order! The Leader of the Opposition cannot think that he can get away with just interrupting me. On that occasion, you will remember, comments were made on the public record by the Prime Minister. The question is out of order.

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