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 please advise the House on what other occasions his government has referred a matter to the High Court to provide the High Court with 'an opportunity'?

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

I can't recall any other occasions, but I want to stress that the government does not doubt the eligibility of the Deputy Prime Minister or, indeed, of Senator Nash or Senator Canavan—or, indeed of Senator Xenophon. But it is important that the court be given that opportunity, and they will do so. The court will take that opportunity, as we know, and the matter will be heard in a matter of weeks from now.

The opposition want to talk about the eligibility of the Deputy Prime Minister. I think the one thing Australians know about the Deputy Prime Minister is that, as opposed to the member for Maribyrnong, the Deputy Prime Minister is thoroughly Australian, thoroughly fair dinkum and thoroughly committed to the national interest. The Leader of the Opposition—

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

Mr Speaker, I raise a point of order, on direct relevance—and on misrepresentation of the Deputy Prime Minister!

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

Has the Prime Minister concluded his answer? The Prime Minister has concluded his answer.