Mr BEAZLEY —Speaking of newspaper articles, my question is directed to the Prime Minister. Is it the case that the Courier-Mail offered you on the Thursday before the Queensland state election front page space in the next day's edition to give a reasoned argument why Queenslanders should not vote for One Nation candidates in that election? Is it the case that your office was initially enthusiastic? Why did you ultimately decline? Given that you had already decided some weeks before to put One Nation last in your own seat because that party makes some minorities in our community feel uneasy and unwelcome, shouldn't you have shared your views with the people of Queensland? Finally, do you agree in retrospect with your Liberal deputy, the Treasurer, that a One Nation last strategy in Queensland would have secured a different and better outcome?

Mr SPEAKER —The Leader of the Opposition when presenting questions should not argue the case, as he did in that instance. The matter is of general public policy significance, and I ask the Prime Minister to respond.

Mr HOWARD (Prime Minister) —I have to say that, to the best of my knowledge, information and belief, I have never been guaranteed a front page by any newspaper in my political career.

Mr Bevis —Why didn't you use it?

Mr SPEAKER —The member for Brisbane has been warned.

Mr HOWARD —I was invited to contribute an article in relation to the Queensland election generally, not in the terms alleged by the Leader of the Opposition. I took the view that, it being a state election, it was a matter for Mr Borbidge and Mrs Sheldon.

Mr Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper.