Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to the Prime Minister's statement in the House yesterday that Senator Sinodinos will draw no ministerial salary and have no access to ministerial entitlements. I refer to the Prime Minister's refusal to confirm all the details of ministerial entitlements being withdrawn today. Is it not now clear that the Prime Minister has misled the parliament?

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

Madam Speaker, I raise a point of order. That question is out of order. If he wants to make such an allegation, he has to do so through a substantive motion.

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Leader of the House is quite right. If the Leader of the Opposition wishes to rephrase his question, he may, understanding that if he wishes to make that allegation he must do so as a matter of substance at a different time on the agenda.

Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I refer to the Prime Minister's statement in the House yesterday that Senator Sinodinos will draw no ministerial salary and have no access to ministerial entitlements. I refer to the Prime Minister's refusal to confirm all the details of the withdrawal of ministerial entitlements from Senator Sinodinos. Prime Minister, how is this possible under the legislation which you are obliged to implement?

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Leader of the Opposition is desperate to insinuate that there has been some wrongdoing here. Let me repeat for his benefit—and I know it is difficult for members opposite to appreciate—that Senator Sinodinos has done the right and the honourable thing.

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There will be silence on my left.

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have here a letter from Senator Sinodinos to the Special Minister of State—

Mr Champion interjecting—

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Wakefield will leave under 94(a).

The member for Wakefield then left the chamber.

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

indicating that he will forgo his ministerial entitlements. I table this letter. I have a letter from Senator Sinodinos to the Secretary of the Treasury, saying that his staff will be working to Senator Cormann. I table the letter. I have here a letter from Senator Sinodinos to the President of the Senate saying that he will not be drawing his salary. So he will not get his salary, he will not get his entitlements and he does not have his staff.