Tanya Plibersek (Sydney, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for acknowledging earlier today the error you made yesterday.

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

The member for Sydney will come to her question.

Tanya Plibersek (Sydney, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Is it usual for ministers—

Government members interjecting—

Mr Nikolic interjecting—

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

The member for Sydney will resume her seat. Members on my right will cease interjecting. The member for Bass will cease interjecting. The member for Sydney has the call to ask a question.

Tanya Plibersek (Sydney, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Is it usual for ministers to meet with ministers or vice-ministers of foreign countries when travelling overseas without informing the Minister for Foreign Affairs or her department?

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. Standing orders make it perfectly clear what questions can be about. We have always been reasonably generous in this House about the extent of questions and the reach that the parameters can be, but this is such a hypothetical question. Sometimes it might well be relevant to meet with people that you know personally; sometimes it may not be. How on earth can the foreign minister answer that question—'What is usual or not usual?' The opposition need to really tighten up their questioning if they expect to receive an answer in this place.

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

The Leader of the House has made his point. As I heard the question, it was about a usual practice from the perspective of the foreign minister for ministers travelling overseas. I am going to allow the question.

Ms Julie Bishop (Curtin, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for her question. It would depend on the circumstances. There is no widespread practice. It would depend on a case-by-case basis.

Ms Plibersek interjecting—

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

The member for Sydney is now warned. The member for Sydney has been warned a number of times; this is the member for Sydney's final warning.