Chris Bowen (Prospect, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I have a question for you. My question relates to the letter to you today proposing a matter of public importance, purportedly from the shadow Treasurer. My question is: as the letter suggests discussion of the matter for 27 September 2008, which was two months ago, and also, although it is signed by the shadow Treasurer, the letterhead is marked ‘Shadow Minister for Employment, Business and Workplace Relations’, can you assure the House that the letter is in order and are you satisfied it is genuine and has not been plagiarised in any way?

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I again indicate that I am at this point in time only taking questions about the administration of the departments that are under my control or joint control with the President of the Senate. In relation to the question being taken as a point of order, except for the last part, to be consistent it was not totally crafted as a point of order. Fortunately for me, the decisions I make under standing order 46 about matters of public importance are not rulings; they are decisions vested in me. I find this particular one in order because I am more interested in the topic. The date above the salutation is correct. As far as I am concerned, the matter is signed by the Deputy Leader of the Opposition.