Mark Dreyfus (Isaacs, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Attorney General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to reports in The Sunday Telegraphthat a Liberal frontbencher has said, 'It's very difficult to imagine Heffernan didn't offer these views to Credlin and Tony Abbott.' Why did the Prime Minister ignore the concerns raised by Senator Heffernan and appoint Senator Sinodinos to his ministry?

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

Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. Questions based on gossip and scuttlebutt cannot form the basis of questions in the House. They do not go to the Prime Minister's responsibilities, nor his knowledge. Unless the opposition frame their questions more successfully, this question is out of order.

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On the point of order, Madam Speaker: the Leader of the House raises two issues. One goes to whether it is within the responsibility of the Prime Minister, which clearly the appointment of his own ministry is meant to be. The second is the issue as to the specific referencing quote that was provided in the question which if the Prime Minister chooses to dispute he may.

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

The question runs very close to infringing standing order 98, but I will allow the question to stand and the Prime Minister has the call.

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

As I said in response to the previous question, I do not believe that it is the job of the Prime Minister to comment on gossip and scuttlebutt.