Mr McARTHUR —My question is directed to the Acting Prime Minister. Does the government have a system for approving ministerial staff appointments? Was this system applied in the case of the Chief of Staff to Minister Prosser?

Mr TIM FISCHER —I thank the member for Corangamite for his question and advise the House that all staff are appointed on merit and in accordance with the criteria as set out in the Prime Minister's Key elements of ministerial responsibility and related guidelines. In that regard I confirm that Mr Peter Johnson is the Chief of Staff for the minister for small business. I understand that he is also a cousin of the minister for small business and I would add that the appointment is consistent with the requirements in the code of conduct. The government has a due process for analysing these matters. A committee examined this particular aspect and determined that he was not a close relative in accordance with the use of that term and then proceeded to make the appointment on merit. If the opposition believes otherwise, let them clearly say so.