Mr LATHAM (2:18 PM) —My question is to the Prime Minister. Can the Prime Minister confirm that the Governor-General, who is being paid $6,000 per week for not working, will get an $11 per week tax cut from last night's budget while the vast majority of working families will receive just $4 per week or less, the equivalent of a sandwich or a milkshake? Prime Minister, why is the government rewarding someone who is not working while punishing the hardworking families in our society, especially with higher GP charges and the loss of bulk-billing?

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop —Mr Speaker, I raise a point of order. Yesterday when the opposition engaged in this line of questioning I drew attention to standing order 74. I do so again. I also took note of your ruling with regard to the words of former Speaker Snedden and I noted that former Speaker Snedden in fact upheld standing order 74. He said that he would accept praise or criticism of the Governor-General but said:

I believe that the forms of the House will be maintained if the Chair permits words of praise or criticism provided such remarks are free of any words which reflect personally on His Excellency or which impute improper motives to him.

I point out to you that in that question there was indeed reflection which reflects personally upon the Governor-General, and I ask you to rule it out of order.

The SPEAKER —I did listen closely to the question and the question, if anything, was imputing a motive to the government, not to the Governor-General, and it was in that context that I allowed it to stand.

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop —Further to that point of order, Mr Speaker: the precise words were:

... words of praise or criticism provided such remarks are free of any words which reflect personally on His Excellency ...

I put it to you that indeed the question did that—

Mr Sercombe —Move dissent.

The SPEAKER —The member for Maribyrnong is warned!

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop —and that it is a reflection on him personally. It is on that basis that I am asking for it to be ruled out of order.

The SPEAKER —I understand the point made by the member for Mackellar. Consistent with the Hansard record of comments made prior to the remarks by Speaker Snedden and consistent with my rulings yesterday, I have allowed the question to stand.

Mr HOWARD (Prime Minister) —The arrangements regarding the Governor-General's salary during the time that he is stood aside exactly reflect what occurs in relation to senior people in the Public Service and also follow what occurred when the late Mick Young was stood aside in 1984 during an inquiry into alleged breaches of the customs regulations.