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 yesterday that he was not privy to all the details of the sacking of the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture. If the Prime Minister was not privy to all the details, why did the Prime Minister recommend the sacking of the secretary without knowing them?

Warren Snowdon (Lingiari, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for External Territories) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Lifestyle choice!

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

The member for Lingiari is warned!

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

In the previous parliamentary sitting fortnight, the secretary of my department drew it to my attention that there were some issues between the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture and the minister. I asked my secretary to look into this matter. My secretary did so. He made a recommendation to me and that recommendation has been acted upon.

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

I call the honourable member for Banks.

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

Madam Speaker, on a point of order, there have been circumstances where someone has missed the call and it has been evened up later in question time, but to give someone the call when he is not even on his feet is extraordinary.

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

I am sorry, he was on his feet. The member for Banks has the call and the member for Hunter will resume his seat.