Peter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I was advised as I came into the chamber that the Deputy Prime Minister is a possible close contact from a function and is getting medical advice as we speak, so we'll make arrangements for those questions to be asked of another minister. In the interim, perhaps we could just have a chat to the Member of Opposition Business.

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

I thank the Leader of the House for raising that at the outset. I'd simply ask if there are other ministers or members of the House who were at the same event, it would be very helpful if they self-identified, rather than—I don't know if there were. I've been told there were. That might be wrong. But it will have implications for all of us.

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

Does the Leader of the House want to say something on behalf of the House?

Peter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm advised the Deputy Prime Minister is the only person who's in that scenario at the moment. We'll make further inquiries. In terms of ministerial arrangements, the member for Bradfield will answer questions on behalf of the Deputy Prime Minister and that's the arrangement that's in place.

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

Obviously, in the capacity as Speaker, I can concur with the remarks that have been said. Just before I call the Leader of the Opposition, I remind members that the Serjeant-at-Arms has sent out regular memorandums about the responsibilities that all of us have and to keep up with all of the updates that are there and take the actions that are required.