Rebekha Sharkie (Mayo, Centre Alliance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Prime Minister, one of my constituents, an Indigenous man—

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

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

The member for Mayo will pause for a second. Members on my left, you can cease interjecting. I can't hear the member for Mayo. If you could start your question again.

Rebekha Sharkie (Mayo, Centre Alliance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. One of my constituents, an Indigenous man, named Mr Hedley Vogt, has approached me regarding an issue close to his heart. There are four flagpoles in this chamber and none of them carry the Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander flags. We've seen over the last two days that language matters and action matters. Yesterday this House united to condemn racism and discrimination. In a continuation of that spirit and in the spirit of reconciliation and recognition of the history and culture of Australia's First Peoples, will the government support flying the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags in this chamber?

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

The Prime Minister is probably more than happy to remark on it. It's not actually within his responsibilities, but that's a matter for the standing orders and, therefore, the House. And, with that clarification, the Prime Minister might like to—

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

Before I call anybody, I've listened to the question and it's certainly not the Prime Minister's responsibility. I'd need to check where the responsibility lies, whether it is the standing orders or—the Leader of the Opposition?

Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thought the question by the member for Mayo—I didn't hear all of it—ended on whether or not the government supports such a measure and, if it's of assistance to the Prime Minister—as these things should be, as they were yesterday—we'll offer bipartisanship if you choose to take up the member for Mayo's offer.

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

Member for Mayo, if you could just repeat the last part of the question.

Rebekha Sharkie (Mayo, Centre Alliance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Certainly. In continuation of that spirit, the spirit of reconciliation and recognition of the history and cultures of Australia's First Peoples, will the government support flying the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags in this chamber?

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

The Prime Minister has the call.

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

I thank the honourable member for her question. I imagine the honourable member will seek to move a motion to amend the standing orders for that purpose, assuming that is necessary. It is within the Speaker's responsibility, as we understand, but we take the honourable member's suggestion on board. But I have to say, Mr Speaker, and remind the honourable member, while we pay great respect to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags, the flag hanging in each corner of this room is the flag of Australia.