Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. Given that Senator Sinodinos has not resigned his commission, his name is still on his ministerial office, he still has ministerial staff and he still appears on the government ministerial website, is Senator Sinodinos still receiving ministerial superannuation?

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Let me stress that Senator Sinodinos has done the right and honourable thing by stepping aside.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order.

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Manager of Opposition Business, the Prime Minister has spoken for just a few seconds. You can listen to what is said.

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

If I get up any later I will be frustrated, Madam Speaker.

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You may be frustrated. What is the point of order?

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

The point of order is under standing order 104(a). This question goes to the heart of whether the Prime Minister misled this parliament yesterday.

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You may not debate this standing order. The Manager of Opposition Business will resume his seat.

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

But, Madam Speaker—

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member will resume his seat.

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

I wish to raise a different point of order under standing order 86.

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That is merely to do with having the right to make a point of order, which I have allowed you to do. If I see that it is only to interrupt the business of the answer, then I may not take note of it.

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

Madam Speaker, in terms of the role of this House there is no principle more important and referred to more thoroughly in Practice

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You are now arguing.

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

No, I am referring to Practice, Madam Speaker. I can quote from it.

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You will resume your seat. The Prime Minister has the call.

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I will tell members opposite what they need to understand, which is that Senator Sinodinos has done the right and honourable thing.

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

You misled the House yesterday.

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

If the Manager of Opposition Business wishes to make that allegation, there are proper forms in the House, so he will withdraw that comment.

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

Madam Speaker, the Prime Minister will not deny that he misled the House yesterday. We have given him that opportunity.

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Manager of Opposition Business is out of order and acting in a disorderly manner. He knows the proper form of the House with which to deal with that is by substantive motion. He will either withdraw the comment or leave the chamber under standing order 94(a).

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

Madam Speaker, to the point of order: on all issues in the past you know that I have immediately withdrawn when you have asked me to. This is an important principle.

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am sorry, the member will leave under standing order 94(a).

The member for Watson then left the chamber—

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

For the period which Senator Sinodinos stands aside, he will be allocated a backbench senator's office in the Senate wing, he will not receive his ministerial salary and his staff will be directed to work for the person acting in his stead, namely the Minister for Finance.