Ms GILLARD (3:10 PM) —Mr Speaker, my question relates to the parliamentary program yesterday. To explain my question, can I draw your attention to yesterday's parliamentary program—what is commonly referred to as the blue, as you would well know—which had, in order: questions without notice, presentation of papers, and ministerial statements, by leave. I draw your attention also to the draft daily program, which was circulated by the Parliamentary Liaison Officer the night before and which listed as an item of business: Statement by the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, government response to the review of veterans' entitlements. Mr Speaker, could I ask you to make an inquiry and inform the House at what time was it determined to have that ministerial statement listed on the draft daily program circulated by the Parliamentary Liaison Officer and at what time was it determined that that statement no longer appear as the detailed item of business on the daily program—on the blue—published for yesterday?

The SPEAKER —Let me indicate to the member for Lalor that the procedure of government business through the House, the way in which government business is listed and the decision of ministers to make or not make statements is not a concern of the chair. The concern of the chair is the procedures of the House. I invite her to take up her inquiry with the Parliamentary Liaison Office or the Leader of the House. The Manager of Opposition Business, on indulgence.

Ms GILLARD —Could I make the point that it does, from the point of view of the opposition, affect the business of the House. As you would be aware, we rely on the draft program to make arrangements for the following day, and when ministerial statements appear the opposition obviously has the opportunity to make a statement of equal length, and preparation is engaged in for that purpose—so it is not a matter inconsequential to the programming of the House. I ask you, Mr Speaker, in light of that to consider whether you would be prepared to make the inquiries. I am of course always happy to talk to the Leader of the House, and I will make the inquiry of him as well, but if that does not elicit the information we seek then I would seek the opportunity to raise the matter with you on another occasion.

The SPEAKER —I have never had occasion to deny the Manager of Opposition Business the right to raise whatever she wishes in the House or with me in my office. I simply point out to her, to use her illustration, that had a ministerial statement been delivered and had there not been opportunity for an opposition right of reply, the chair would of course be taking action. But I am not aware of anything that happened that would normally concern the chair. I did not intend to take this matter further. I invite her to take it up as I indicated in my earlier response.