Chris Bowen (McMahon, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Deputy Prime Minister. I refer to his previous answers. The government has so far advised first-home buyers to get rich parents, get a better job or get out of town. Does he stand by his February statement telling first-home buyers to find cheaper accommodation in Armidale, and can the Deputy Prime Minister confirm that the government's latest advice for first-home buyers is to just get rich mates?

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

Whilst the question refers to a previous statement that the minister made, they have to have a connection in some way. Just because a minister makes a statement about their previous portfolio, I'm quite uncomfortable with the idea that there's a presumption that that statement can be relied upon to essentially question the minister as if he were still in that portfolio. So whilst I allowed the last question, can I just say with all candour that this is getting a little too cute. Practice is something that evolves, and it's about to evolve. I don't regard that as being in order. I regard that as a question where you've taken a statement that's been made to then ask a string of questions about housing affordability based on the Deputy Prime Minister's previous portfolio. I think that's a bridge too far.