Mr PYNE (4:23 PM) —Mr Speaker, under standing order 152, I have a question for you. Would you consider and advise the House whether it is a breach of privilege for a member's letter to a state minister to be released to the press in an attempt to embarrass that member, so putting at risk the privacy of individuals and creating a climate where members are restricted in performing their duties as members of parliament because they are unable to rely on the professionalism and discretion of state ministers, as has been the case with the release by the South Australian police minister of letters from the member for O'Connor?

The SPEAKER —I do not believe that there is any action that has been taken by the member for O'Connor, or the Minister for Regional Services, Territories and Local Government, which breaches privilege.

Mr PYNE —No, Mr Speaker, that was not the—

Mr Latham —On a point of order, Mr Speaker—

The SPEAKER —The member for Sturt will resume his seat for a moment. I will hear the point of order.

Mr Latham —The point of order is that the member for Sturt has raised a matter of privilege on the assumption that the letters were released to the media. In fact, the letters were tabled in the House with the permission of the government.

The SPEAKER —The member for Werriwa will resume his seat. He has no point of order. I heard him out, but it is not a point of order. If I have misunderstood the member for Sturt, I will hear him again.

Mr PYNE —Mr Speaker, with due respect, my question was not about the actions of the member for O'Connor but about the actions of the South Australian police minister and whether he has restricted our behaviour as members of parliament.

The SPEAKER —I have indicated to the member for Sturt that I do not believe that there is any case for any action to be taken on the part of the Speaker's office in the matter he alludes to.

The SPEAKER —I would have thought that the member for Batman would not want to create a vacancy in the House either right now, from his own short-term perspective.