Christopher Pyne (Sturt, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Before I ask my question of the Speaker, I would like to associate myself with the remarks made by the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition in relation to both Graham Tuckwell and Michelle Grattan. Madam Speaker, in question time, you ruled that the question to the Attorney-General about settlements in the West Bank was out of order. I ask you to revisit that subject after question time for future reference. The former Attorney-General, Nicola Roxon, the member for Gellibrand, routinely answered questions, particularly about tobacco and international law. Most recently, on 16 August, she was asked by the member for Hindmarsh about the international aspects of the tobacco legislation and she answered that question. I would have thought that a question to the Attorney-General about the international law implications of the settlements on the West Bank and of statements by the foreign minister would be in order. I ask you to revisit that subject.

Ms Anna Burke (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I do not need to revisit the matter. It was the phrasing of the question which was ruled out of order. There was no reference to international law. The question was also asking for a member's opinion.