Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Hansard source

I have a question to you. I refer to page 548 of Practice, 'Rostering of ministers', where it says:

Although there is no rule to this effect, it has been traditionally expected that all Ministers who are Members of the House, unless sick, overseas or otherwise engaged on urgent public business, will be present at Question Time.

I note that the Deputy Prime Minister isn't able to attend question time in person because of the issue of COVID in the New England region, but I do note how many of my team, including my deputy, are here every question time, participating in the parliament. I would have thought that that is appropriate. My question to you is: is it appropriate, just as the Prime Minister took questions virtually and was available, that the Deputy Prime Minister should be available during question time for members of parliament on both sides and on the crossbenches to hold him to account and ask questions? I note that he hasn't turned up but he is on the payroll, and it is expected as a minimum that ministers will be here.

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