Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Opposition Business in the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I have a question for you and it goes to your decision to choose for discussion today the matter of public importance proposed by the member for Moreton. Given that this is the first time since 2005 that a matter of public importance proposed by the opposition  has not been chosen—

Government Members:

Government members interjecting—

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Opposition Business in the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Are you going to keep these people in order at all, Mr Speaker?

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

Order! I am listening closely to the Manager of Opposition Business. Members on my right are not assisting.

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Opposition Business in the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Given that the House of Representatives Practice, a book unfamiliar to the Leader of the House, indicates very clearly that the matter of public importance is usually reserved for the opposition, and given that the shadow Treasurer submitted an item on productivity and economic performance, which the government says that it wants a debate on—

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

Order! The member is now debating his question.

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Opposition Business in the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

why was it not chosen?

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

If the Manager of Opposition Business is a little patient, I will give him an answer when I read out the matter of public importance.