Bob McMullan (Fraser, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I wish to ask a question of you. I ask you to reflect on and reconsider a ruling you made, which did not have any impact on the proceedings today, in which you said that it was not appropriate to ask a minister to comment on comments made by another minister. First of all, I do not think that is a proper reading of the standing orders or of House of Representatives Practice where it refers to the limits. Even were it to be so, I ask you to consider the implications. It means that, if we have a contradiction between two ministers—

Wilson Tuckey (O'Connor, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker—

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The member for O’Connor will resume his seat; I am listening to the member for Fraser.

Wilson Tuckey (O'Connor, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker—

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The member for O’Connor will resume his seat. The member for Fraser has the call.

Bob McMullan (Fraser, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It would mean, if applied generally, that where there is a contradiction between the statements of two ministers the House is limited in its capacity to pursue it. I know that was not your intention and it did not have that effect today, Mr Speaker, but I think you should give that some consideration. I am not asking for an instant reply today, but I think it is a very important question because you can imagine the circumstances in which the capacity to ask just such a question could be very important.

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Fraser for his question. It is my understanding that it is not in order to ask another minister to comment on statements by a colleague. However, it is in order to ask the Prime Minister such a question. I think that comes under standing order 98. However, I will have a further look at that matter and report to him as appropriate.