Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

Mr President, on the point of order: that is absolutely wrong. Not only precedent but also courtesy requires the minister to indicate that he would prefer another minister to answer the question. As he represents the Prime Minister in this chamber, the opposition is entitled to ask him the question in that capacity as well, particularly as the issue went to a division within the Liberal Party and the government over what exactly the policy on this issue is.