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

Mr Speaker, I have a question for you. It goes to the principles in practice when questions are put on the Notice Paper and making inquiries when answers are not given. This concerns the case where yesterday in question time itself the Prime Minister took on notice that he would undertake inquiries of his department's secretary as to whether or not the Minister for Home Affairs excused himself from all discussions on child care. Given that that answer still hasn't come back to the House, I'm asking whether there is a procedure for you to take similar action.

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

I thank the Manager of Opposition Business for his question. I understand why the question was asked. As Speaker, I don't govern any time limits for ministers or prime ministers with respect to answers to questions on notice or undertakings as to when ministers or prime ministers come back to the House. That's well established. It's a matter for the minister concerned or the Prime Minister in terms of timing.