Mr SWAN (2:28 PM) —My question without notice is directed to the Prime Minister and it relates to conduct in this House and to the previous statement from the Leader of the House about the need for respect in this House. Prime Minister, isn't it a fact that your Leader of the House is the only member to be ejected from this House for shaping up to the opposition?

Mr Hockey —That's wrong!

Mr Crean —It's true!

Mr Martin Ferguson —It's true!

The SPEAKER —When the House has come to order! The Manager of Opposition Business may be aware that the chair is not being assisted—and neither is he—by the behaviour on either side of the House currently.

Mr SWAN —Prime Minister, isn't it also the case that the Leader of the House was at that stage a member of the outer ministry? Prime Minister, since that disgraceful incident, haven't you promoted the member into your cabinet and put him in charge of all government business in this House?

Mr HOWARD (Prime Minister) —I would have to check the historical record.

Opposition members interjecting—

The SPEAKER —The Prime Minister will resume his seat. The behaviour of the member for Grayndler, the member for Hunter and other members in the House only illustrates what in fact has facilitated questions like this. The Prime Minister has the call, and he will be heard in silence.

Mr HOWARD —Given the energetic nature of the Australian character, if I could put it that way, I would be surprised, if you were to trawl right back through the record, if you might not find the odd example—and you are talking here of recorded examples, let alone unrecorded examples—of where people may have shaped up. But let me simply say this: I do not intend to dignify the remarks of the member for Werriwa with any kind of response myself.

The SPEAKER —I warn the member for Hunter!

Mr HOWARD —I would simply say that I have every confidence in the integrity, the ability, the decency and the good character of the Leader of the House.