Julia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Special Minister of State. I refer the minister to a community meeting last week in his seat of Eden-Monaro where Labor candidate and decorated soldier—

Honourable Members:

Honourable members interjecting—

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

Order! Members on my right!

Julia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I refer the minister to a community meeting last week in his seat which Labor candidate and decorated soldier Colonel Mike Kelly addressed. I refer the minister to a question posed by his chief of staff, Peter Phelps, to Colonel Mike Kelly asking if he compared his military service in Iraq to that of Nazi guards at the Belsen concentration camp. Does the minister endorse his chief of staff’s conduct and what will he do about it?

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

The minister is not required to be responsible for other people but, if he chooses to answer, he may do so.

Bob McMullan (Fraser, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Federal/State Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On a point of order, Mr Speaker: as to the point of principle, if you are saying now that ministers are not accountable to this parliament for their staff that is changing a very important fundamental principle of the accountability of this parliament as articulated previously by the Prime Minister.

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

The member for Fraser has made his point. I remind the member for Fraser that in the standing orders as applied to questions where the questions are derogatory statements or are critical of other people then they should be on notice. But the Special Minister of State has indicated that he is prepared to answer the question so I call the Special Minister of State.

Gary Nairn (Eden-Monaro, Liberal Party, Special Minister of State) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am aware that a former military lawyer who is standing for the seat of Eden-Monaro invited people from the public—in fact I got an invitation at home as well—to attend a forum. I think that it is only appropriate that individuals in their own private capacity, when invited to attend a forum, go along to that forum and participate in the debate.

Honourable Members:

Honourable members interjecting—

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

Order! Order! The minister has the call.

Gary Nairn (Eden-Monaro, Liberal Party, Special Minister of State) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Certainly Dr Phelps was there. He went along in his personal capacity and participated in debate at that forum, as I understand it and as passed on by my chief of staff the day after it occurred. As he was invited he decided he would attend and he participated in the debate.

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

On a point of order, Mr Speaker, I draw your attention to standing order 98(c)(ii) which requires that a minister can be questioned on the following matters for which he or she is responsible or officially connected, including—

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

The member will resume his seat. The question has been asked and the minister has given his response. I call the next question.