Andrew Wallace (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Just before I call the Prime Minister, I have a short statement to make. On Thursday after question time, the Leader of the Opposition asked me to reflect on comments made by the Minister for Defence in responding to a question during question time and report back to the House. When the matter was raised during question time, I made it clear that I had not heard the comments, as the level of interjections was so loud as to prevent me from hearing precisely what had been said. I have, however, since carefully examined the Hansard transcripts of that period of question time and considered the relevant sections of the Practice at pages 516 to 517. Even though no explicit charge was made by the Leader of the House, there was an insinuation made by the Leader of the House. I'm of the view that, in context, the reference by the Leader of the House about the Leader of the Opposition is not in order under standing order 90, and I would ask that such comments not be repeated.