Mr LATHAM (3:01 PM) —My question is to the Minister representing the Special Minister of State and it concerns a registered political party. Is the minister aware of the following claim by Mr Malcolm Turnbull:

Under this government's administration of the Electoral Act, are outside organisations allowed to take over a registered political party? Can the minister assure the House that the 688 new monarchist members in Wentworth all comply with the act? Does the minister approve of the monarchist takeover or does he share Mr Turnbull's concern about branch stacking in the seat of Wentworth?

Mr ABBOTT (Minister for Health and Ageing) —Let me say that no outside organisation owns and operates the Liberal Party, but the union movement owns and operates the Labor Party. That is the big difference. It owns and operates the Labor Party and funds it to the tune of $5 million a year, and he who pays the piper calls the tune. As members opposite would well know, the Liberal Party supports traditional institutions, and the strongest traditional institution of all is the Crown. I am delighted to see that more good people are joining the Liberal Party to preserve our traditional beliefs and our support for traditional institutions.