John Howard (Bennelong, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I inform the House that the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade will be absent from question time today for personal reasons. As some members may be aware, his father died at midnight last night. The Minister for Foreign Affairs will answer questions on his behalf.

Kim Beazley (Brand, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I would be grateful if the Prime Minister could pass on the best wishes of members on this side of the House to the Minister for Trade in what is a very sad situation for him.