Tanya Plibersek (Sydney, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister: I refer to the Prime Minister's previous answer. If Senator Cash has nothing to hide from the Federal Court, why won't she show up?

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

Look, the determination of the Labor Party to try to distract from the fact that the Australian Workers' Union and the Leader of the Opposition are doing everything they can to cover up the payment of a hundred thousand dollars to GetUp! without authority is extraordinary. That's the issue. The issue is other people's money. It's paying other people's money without authority. That's what this is about. And the Leader of the Opposition wants to get up and go on about business, and he complains and says we're always supporting business. Well, what about this? What about a hundred thousand dollars of AWU members' money paid to GetUp! without authority? Is that okay? Is that all right? Oh, it was a long time ago, I remember the Leader of the Opposition says.

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

The Prime Minister will resume his seat. The Manager of Opposition Business, on a point of order.

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Opposition Business (House)) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On direct relevance, Mr Speaker: this question asks nothing other than, 'Why won't the minister turn up?' There is nothing else in it at all.

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

The Manager of Opposition Business will resume his seat.

Mr Pyne interjecting—

The Leader of the House will cease interjecting.

Ms Burney interjecting—

The member for Barton is warned. As I said in my previous ruling, the question is on the topic of the case, and the Prime Minister's answer is in response to the question. I just need to point out to members on both sides: I'm listening very carefully, given the subject matter, and I'm looking for a range of matters that might breach the practice, including sub judice, reflection on members and all the rest. I've heard the Manager of Opposition Business, but I think it's too much to ask to essentially try and censor the Prime Minister's answer when the question is on the topic of the case. He's sticking to the topic of the case, and I believe he's being relevant to the question that was asked. Has the Prime Minister completed his answer? He has.