Brendan O'Connor (Gorton, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. In 2013 the Prime Minister said:

I know Damien Mantach well. He is a person of integrity, so let's see where this investigation goes. He has my confidence.

Does the Prime Minister agree that this ringing endorsement is yet another failure of judgement on his part?

Sarah Henderson (Corangamite, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That is a disgraceful question!

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Corangamite!

Opposition members interjecting —

Those on my left!

Jim Chalmers (Rankin, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

They're his own words.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Rankin is warned!

Kevin Andrews (Menzies, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I raise a point of order. Under the standing orders, it is quite clear that any minister, including the Prime Minister, can only be asked questions which go to his official responsibilities. That question does not do that.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Acting Leader of the House is right. The standing orders do make it very clear that the question can only go to matters that the Prime Minister is responsible for. The question contained a quote—

Ms Kate Ellis interjecting—

I do not need the member for Adelaide's assistance. The question contained a quote, and in that very narrow field the Prime Minister can answer the question.

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

I do think it is interesting that this is the level to which members opposite have decided to operate—

Dr Chalmers interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

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

The member for Rankin then left the chamber.

Opposition members interjecting—

Those on my left will cease interjecting.

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

But I can inform the House that matters concerning the individual in question have this morning been referred to the Victorian police.