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

My question is to the Deputy Prime Minister. I refer to reports that National Party MPs, including the member for Gippsland, the member for Hinkler, the member for Cowper, the member for Mallee and the member for Riverina, have held crisis talks about the Deputy Prime Minister's position. When even his own National Party colleagues know the Deputy Prime Minister's position is untenable, why won't the Deputy Prime Minister do the right thing by the people of Australia and resign?

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

I'm just going to say to the member for Isaacs: I can't see how the bulk of that question is in order when it refers to alleged conversations.

Mr Keogh interjecting—

If there are any interjections, the member for Burt can lead the way. He can leave under 94(a).

The member for Burt then left the chamber.

If people can't remember what I said yesterday in Hansard, I suggest they bring it in with them. I made a ruling before on questions and there being preambles. The bulk of that question referred to alleged private conversations that are in the media. It had a tag line at the end, and I'm ruling that question out of order. We're going to the next question.

Mr Snowdon interjecting—

The member for Lingiari can leave under 94(a). The member for Lingiari will leave immediately. If you don't leave immediately, you're going to be named.

The member for Lingiari then left the chamber.