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

My question is to the Minister for Small Business. Can the Minister for Small Business confirm to the House, as the minister responsible for the Australian Bureau of Statistics, that there has only been one meeting to discuss the marriage postal vote, that there has been no written advice and that there has been no discussion of the risks? If there has been discussion of the risks, in writing or in those meetings, could he please advise the House what those risks are?

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

The Leader of the House on a point of order.

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

Mr Speaker, the government's been more than happy to allow the small business minister to take these questions and to answer them. He's done a—

Opposition members interjecting—

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

The Leader of the House will resume his seat.

Opposition members interjecting—

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

It's his job though!

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

The Leader of the Opposition will cease interjecting. The Leader of the House will resume his seat. Members will not interject—unless those on my left wish me not to hear the objection and to simply move on to the next question. The Leader of the House.

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

As I said, the government is more than happy with the Minister for Small Business's answers to these questions, but the fact is that the direction for the postal plebiscite was issued by the Treasurer. He is actually the responsible minister until the direction is handed over to the Special Minister of State, and then he represents the Special Minister of State as well. So actually the question is directed to the wrong minister. The Treasurer should be the person answering these questions, as he issued the direction for the postal plebiscite.

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

I'm happy to hear from the Manager of Opposition Business.

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

Thanks, Mr Speaker. The reference to the Australian marriage law postal survey is on the letterhead of the Australian Bureau of Statistics, for which the minister is responsible. The question that is being asked is about what advice that minister received. That is what we are asking. That question as to what advice he received cannot be asked of any other minister.

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

The Leader of the House.

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

The way the Westminster system works, as you would know—

Opposition members interjecting—

I will explain it to the Manager of Opposition Business, although he was once in the cabinet. The Treasurer is the cabinet minister in the portfolio.

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

I'd say to the Leader of the House that the history of Westminster is quite long, so I don't want him to explain it. I'd like him to get to his point of order.

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

We are fortunate to be part of it. The truth is that the Treasurer is the cabinet minister in the portfolio of Treasury. He issued the direction. The Minister for Small Business is part of the Treasurer's portfolio. The responsible minister for this postal plebiscite direction is not the Minister for Small Business, it is the Treasurer.

Honourable members interjecting—

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

I'm ready to rule on this issue, if members will cease interjecting. As members well know, it's the Prime Minister's prerogative to direct the question to any minister, so if he wishes to do that, he can. The Treasurer has the call.

Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Prime Minister.

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

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

Members will cease interjecting! The members for McEwen and Gellibrand will leave under 94(a).

The members for McEwen and G ellibrand then left the chamber.

Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the Prime Minister for the reference. The Census and Statistics (Statistical Information) Direction 2017 is a registered instrument. It's laid before this parliament—it was registered last night. It would be very easy for the Leader of the Opposition or any other members of the opposition to review the entire direction. That direction was obviously drafted on the basis of substantial advice. It included consultation with the Australian Statistician and, indeed, with the Minister for Small Business and other relevant ministers. It was a matter determined by cabinet, and I issued the direction. The direction is set out there as a registered instrument.

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

I seek to table the page from the AEC web page that the website has crashed on the enrolment page.

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

Leave is not granted. The member for Corangamite.