Mark Butler (Hindmarsh, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Health and Aged Care) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have a question about some conduct of the Leader of the Opposition during question time. After the Prime Minister had given an answer to one of his questions, I think, wherein the Prime Minister quoted certain remarks from the ASIO director-general, the Leader of the Opposition stood up and then just proceeded to read a whole range of additional quotes from an interview that the director-general had given. There are obviously, within the standing orders, a range of opportunities for the Leader of the Opposition to take a different view about quotes that the director-general may or may not have said. He could do a follow-up question, he could do a substantive motion, which he realised a little later in question time, or he could do a number of other things. But I ask you: is there any basis on which the Leader of the Opposition was in order to simply stand up after the Prime Minister had given an answer and read from a document, the origins of which are unknown?

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Moving forward, just so that everyone is clear, if there is a claim of misleading or if there is some disagreement, the first opportunity to raise that would be at the time when someone is making a statement. Subsequent to that, if someone believes there is an inconsistency, the only form to do that is by a substantive motion, perhaps by putting it on notice or moving a further action. Through question time, no-one has any opportunities to be able to simply rise and say, 'I don't think that person is accurate,' and read other things. There are other forms of the House to do that.

Sussan Ley (Farrer, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Women) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Earlier in question time the member for Warringah rose on a point of order. She claimed that, at a specific time in question time, the member for Macnamara sought the call before the Leader of the Opposition rose. I just ask you to review the footage and advise the House accordingly as to whether her claim was correct. If it's the case that the member for Warringah was incorrect, your review will provide her the first available opportunity to correct a misleading of the House.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I shall review the situation and advise the member accordingly.