Nick Minchin (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance and Administration) Share this | Hansard source

Mr President, on the point of order: it is important that the opposition understands who is responsible for what. We do have a minister representing the Assistant Treasurer. There is a portfolio of Assistant Treasurer. The Assistant Treasurer has responsibility for things like managed investment schemes, and it would be helpful if the opposition got its head around the responsibilities. I indicated to you by a signal, Mr President, that the question was more appropriately answered by Senator Coonan and indicated such to you. Now, I do not mind who answers the question—we have the same brief—but the proper thing is for the opposition to understand who they should be directing their questions to.