Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Hansard source

Members on my right! The Leader of the Opposition will resume his seat.

Honourable members interjecting—

Members on both sides will cease interjecting.

Mr Burke interjecting—

The Manager of Opposition Business! I am going to say that I do follow these questions very carefully. I understand the point the Leader of the Opposition is trying to make, and I've made that point when there's been very specific questions that don't ask for alternatives, that don't have political commentary in them. When a question has a final line that is really going to the criticism or talking about neglect, it does open things up somewhat. But I do say to the minister that the question didn't ask for alternatives. Ministers are allowed to compare and contrast briefly, but the question went very much to the government's approach. I call the minister.

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