Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Hansard source

That's right. So, on that, I do want to rule. There are two things about the question. The bit about representations to the government generally—that can be asked. Whether that knowledge is reasonable to expect is another thing, to be frank—whether it's reasonable to know every aspect of every part of the government. What I was conscious of—and this is why I was listening to the Leader of the House so intently, because I'd formed a view and was listening closely—was that, if the question was going to the Prime Minister's previous portfolio responsibilities, that would be out of order. So what I'll say to the Prime Minister is that that is a very strong convention, and he was the minister for immigration several years ago. The only bit that is in order is the bit to him as Prime Minister, and the first part about other parts of the government—but I point out that it's not up to me whether it's reasonable or not to expect him to be able to answer that, but that's also why we have questions on notice. I'll call the Prime Minister.

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