Mrs DE-ANNE KELLY —My question is directed to the Acting Prime Minister. Can the Acting Prime Minister confirm that the government will honour its commitment not to overarch or override the outcome of the recommendations of the Queensland government's review of the sugar industry should it find that the existing regulatory arrangements, such as acquisition and single desk selling for the domestic and international markets, should be maintained?

Mr TIM FISCHER —I have received a number of communications, including from members of the Independent Retirees Association. I note with interest the presence of the national president of the Independent Retirees Association, Maureen Kingston, in the gallery this day.

Part of the government's sustainable approach to agricultural exports includes the cast-iron retention of the single desk selling powers of the Australian wheat industry. It is a matter of public benefit. It is a matter the Prime Minister has answered a question on at this dispatch box in those terms. That is a very clear-cut circumstance taken by the Prime Minister when he answered a question on this matter.

Before, during and after the election, I have replicated that policy position in respect of the coalition government. Recent investigat ions and reviews, part complete, have found that the Queensland state marketing circumstance for sugar and the New South Wales marketing state circumstance for rice are in the public benefit; however, these are matters for the state parliaments. In that respect, I reiterate the essence of what the Prime Minister has said; that is, the federal government will not interfere or overarch state legislation in this regard.

Ms Macklin —Mr Acting Speaker—

Mr ACTING SPEAKER —I call the member for Calare.

Mr Crean —Mr Acting Speaker, on a point of order: my understanding is that we had an understanding of the call from this side of the House in terms of the proportion of independent members to the proportion of opposition members. You have already called one independent speaker today and I would ask you to call the member for Jagajaga.

Mr Campbell —I rise on a point of order, Mr Acting Speaker. I find it very tiresome when the honourable member for Hotham jumps up and makes these objections when it is quite clear that we are well behind in our numbers. Your decision is entirely equitable in calling an Independent member today when we are well behind on our numbers. I think this ought to be made clear to the member.

Mr ACTING SPEAKER —I thank the honourable member for Kalgoorlie. For the information of the House and, in particular, the member for Hotham, the way the score is going is that the member for Calare is due for a question right now, and he will get it in a second. The member for Curtin was due and got it. The member for Kalgoorlie is due for a question, the member for Moore is due for a question and the member for Oxley is well and truly overdue. I call the honourable member for Calare.

Mr Martin —I rise on a point of order, Mr Acting Speaker. Having listened to the comments that you have just made, can I ask you to reflect on those comments in view of the fact that in previous services of Speakers, and based on past experience—

Mr Reith —When did we have five Independents last?

Mr Martin —Just hang on. You were absolutely correct in that there was a basis upon which an Independent was given the call. When you say somebody was due for one today and someone else was due, et cetera, it was always taken that that would be on successive days. Would you look at that particular issue.

Mr ACTING SPEAKER —I take on board what the honourable member has said. At present the quota is one to every 5.4 questions. I will reflect on what you have said. I call the honourable member for Calare.