Mark Dreyfus (Isaacs, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Attorney General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. Yesterday, the Prime Minister said that allegations involving Victorian Liberal leader, Matthew Guy, and alleged mafia boss, Tony Madafferi would be carefully examined by federal authorities. The member for Dunkley has since admitted to discussing fundraising arrangements with Barrie Macmillan, the bagman in this Liberal Party fundraising scheme. Given the Prime Minister's promise of a careful examination, are federal authorities examining whether the member for Dunkley breached any Commonwealth laws?

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

Quite predictably, the Leader of the House on a point of order. I will hear him.

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

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Obviously, the Prime Minister has answered the previous question. All of the matters raised by the member for Isaacs are not within the Prime Minister's responsibilities and therefore he should not be required to answer the question.

Mr Champion interjecting—

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

The Manager of Opposition Business will just pause for a second. The member for Wakefield has been warned at least once. He can leave under 94(a) and I will hear the point of order from the Manager of Opposition Business.

The member for Wakefield then left the chamber.

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

Mr Speaker, it's certainly not unprecedented and certainly not unusual to ask the Prime Minister of this country whether the federal authorities are conducting an investigation.

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

No, and I can just rule on that part of it. That question has been asked and answered.

Mr Burke interjecting—

No, hang on. My problem with this question is asking the Prime Minister whether authorities are looking into a certain matter. The Prime Minister has answered the question on the substantive matter, but to then go to a fishing expedition about whether the Prime Minister is directing, almost, that investigation, I think puts the question out of order.