Josh Frydenberg (Kooyong, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Prime Minister, my question—

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I raise a point of order. Under the standing orders, question time concludes at 3.10 pm each day.

Peter Slipper (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It is within the competence of the Prime Minister to ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper. However, I had called the honourable member for Kooyong before the Prime Minister did that. The honourable member for Kooyong has the call.

Josh Frydenberg (Kooyong, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. Given that the Auditor-General has found that on 33 occasions ministers have failed to declare millions of dollars of grants to their own electorates, including the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, who has made three major grants to local councils in his electorate totalling more than $3 million without declarations, what action will you take to discipline the minister?

Julia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In answer to the member for Kooyong's question, first, I draw his attention to what the ANAO actually found. The member for Kooyong had his first question ruled out of order because he in part sought to misrepresent that, and I would counsel him against that in this question as well. Second, I remind the member for Kooyong that this government has moved to introduce guidelines because of the conduct of the Howard government under regional rorts, causing the Auditor-General to author a report that used the word 'corrupt'. The member for Kooyong should understand that. The word 'corrupt' was used in that Auditor-General's report. We have responded to those kinds of findings about the conduct of the Howard government by making sure that there is a new system of transparency.

Luke Hartsuyker (Cowper, National Party, Deputy Manager of Opposition Business in the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I raise a point of order. The question was: how is the Prime Minister going to discipline the minister for infrastructure? It did not refer to a previous government.

Peter Slipper (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Prime Minister's answer is relevant.

Julia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. What we intend to do is act in accordance with the findings of the audit report. That is what the government will do. That is, of course, a different approach than has been taken in the past. We are a government that have introduced transparency guidelines because we were disgusted by the conduct of the Howard government. If the member for Kooyong is truly disturbed by such matters then I find it hard to explain how he can serve behind this front bench, given their conduct in the regional rorts affair—

Peter Slipper (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The Prime Minister will return to the specifics of the question.

Julia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

and the conduct of the Howard government generally.

Mr Speaker, with those words I ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper.

Peter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You're not a Prime Minister's bootlace.

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker—

Peter Slipper (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Leader of the House will resume his seat. I believe the honourable member for Dickson made an inappropriate comment. Did the member for Dickson interject a moment ago? If he did, he would assist the House by withdrawing the imputation cast in the direction of the Prime Minister.

Peter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am happy to assist, Mr Speaker, but I seek your direction. By saying that this person is not a Prime Minister's bootlace, is that unparliamentary? If so, I am happy to withdraw.

Ms Roxon interjecting—

Peter Slipper (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Dickson has been saved by the Attorney- General. The member for Dickson will return to the dispatch box and will withdraw his statement without reservation.

Peter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I withdraw.

Peter Slipper (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I now call the honourable Attorney-General to the dispatch box to withdraw what she said.

Nicola Roxon (Gellibrand, Australian Labor Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I withdraw, Mr Speaker.

Peter Slipper (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the Attorney-General.