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

My question is to the Prime Minister. On Monday, the Minister for Defence described the Prime Minister as 'someone whose focus seems to have been entirely on himself and in undermining the government'. But yesterday, the Minister for Defence was all over TV pleading for his job. So, Prime Minister, will the Minister for Defence still be the Minister for Defence this time next week?

Christopher Pyne (Sturt, Liberal Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order. Quite clearly—

Opposition members interjecting—

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

The members on my left will cease interjecting. If the interjections do not stop, I am going to make an immediate ruling.

Christopher Pyne (Sturt, Liberal Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, that question contains 'arguments, inferences, imputations'—it does not have any insults, that is true; therefore, it offends standing order 100 that relates to questions. It is impossible for the Prime Minister to answer it and it does not relate to his responsibilities. The premise of the question is disputed by the Minister for Defence, who said no such thing about the current Prime Minister and, therefore, I would ask you to rule it out of order.

Mr Fitzgibbon interjecting—

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

The member for Hunter will not interject. The Leader of the House is right with respect to the preamble, which was a long preamble, but the last part of the question, I believe, did go to the Prime Minister's responsibilities and I am going to allow that part.

Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Mr Speaker, I am delighted to remind the Leader of the Opposition and honourable members that the new ministerial arrangements, which I have foreshadowed, will be announced in full by Monday of next week. I am not proposing to make any statement about them in the interim.

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

Mr Speaker, on a point of order: why is he keeping the Minister for Defence hanging by a string?

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

The Leader of the Opposition is taking the indulgence I extend to leaders too far.