House debates Ministerial Arrangements

Wednesday, 29 September 2010 House of Representatives

Harry Jenkins

Harry Jenkins Speaker

The list of ministerial arrangements was a matter of contention during question time. I indicate that the clerks rely on the underlying administrative arrangements that dictate which pieces of legislation are being looked after by ministers when they allocate who they would put a question in writing to. While that is not a parliamentary document but a government document, that gives guidance about who has responsibility for what in this place. So I would recommend that document to members who have some concern.

Christopher Pyne

Christopher Pyne Sturt, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training

Mr Speaker, as you are responsible for the clerks and so forth—and this is no reflection on them—how is the opposition to know that the government has hidden this schools program in another minister’s portfolio and why wouldn’t they—

Harry Jenkins

Harry Jenkins Speaker

The Manager of Opposition Business will resume his seat. You have plenty of other opportunities to make a point like that. You are not going to use as a guise a question to me. You are warned.