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

My question is to the Prime Minister. Can the Prime Minister confirm that he governs in this House with a majority of one, that he's formed that majority based on a secret personal deal with the Deputy Prime Minister and that he's allowing the Deputy Prime Minister to remain in office based on secret advice, even though the House has unanimously referred the question of his qualifications to be a member of parliament to the High Court? Prime Minister, how can the Australian people have confidence in the legitimacy of this government if it's based on a secret agreement and clinging to office on secret advice?

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, that is a question that is simply a smear and a sneer against the government. It doesn't ask for—

Opposition members interjecting—

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

Members on my left! The Leader of the House will resume his seat.

Ms Husar interjecting—

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

The member for Lindsay then left the Chamber.

The SPEAKER: The Manager of Opposition Business will resume his seat. I'm trying to hear the Leader of the Opposition, and members on my left are preventing that occurring—the Leader of the House, I should say. And I will hear the Leader of the Opposition! If members on my left want to keep interjecting, they're just going to delay question time and they're going to have less time to ask questions. That's just an obvious consequence. The member for Bendigo might find it hysterical, but I'm not sure the Manager of Opposition Business will.

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

Mr Speaker, the question does not seek any information from the Prime Minister. It is simply a collection of assertions and smears, and therefore is not in order.

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

The Manager of Opposition Business, on the point of order?