Ms Catherine King (Ballarat, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is again to the Prime Minister. Why has the Prime Minister not asked his staff whether they sought to undermine Brittany Higgins's loved ones? Why does the Prime Minister still have a 'don't ask, don't tell' policy?

Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I reject the assertion of the question. I don't have any knowledge of those matters. I would never instruct my staff to do that, and I have no knowledge of them doing so, and none has been presented.

When it comes to those who say that they should be looking into matters into their office, I notice that there's been a lot of discussion about the need to listen, and we do need to listen, and we are listening, and we are taking action on these very sensitive issues that have been raised. The multiparty Jenkins inquiry has been established. The additional services have been put in place. Actions are being taken, and further actions will be put in place. But what I do know—

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

The Manager of Opposition Business on a point of order?

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for the Arts) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes. It was a very clear question. On direct relevance, the first part of it goes very specifically to the Prime Minister not asking his own staff, and the second part of it goes to whether or not a particular policy existed in his office.

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

I think what the Manager of Opposition Business is doing is trying to anticipate the Prime Minister moving away from relevance to the question. I don't think he's done that yet. I certainly don't think he's done that yet. I'll hear from the Prime Minister. He is able, of course, to give some context to the answer, and I think what he's done so far is within order, but I'm listening.

Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Yesterday, at a press conference, the Leader of the Opposition was asked, 'Are you'—

Mr Albanese interjecting—

Mr Burke interjecting—

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

Hang on. I haven't heard what he said yet. You've had your point of order. I am listening. I don't think interjections from the Leader of the Opposition and the Manager of Opposition Business, when the Prime Minister has said, 'Yesterday the Leader of the Opposition, at his press conference'—he hasn't said anything yet. You're sort of asking me to get into preventive standing orders.

Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Subsequently in that interview, this was put to him: 'Two claims against staffers'—that is, Labor staffers—'last year. What were the women told they should do?' In his transcript, it says 'inaudible'.

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

No, the Prime Minister needs to resume his seat. That cannot be related to this question. It certainly could be related to other questions but not this one.