Mr TANNER (3:09 PM) —Mr Speaker, early in question time the member for Hunter asked a question to the Leader of the National Party which you ruled out of order on the grounds that it did not cover areas relating to the Leader of the National Party’s portfolio. I draw your attention to the fact that on many occasions in the past, from both sides of the parliament, questions have been addressed to the Leader of the National Party—as was the case when it was Mr Anderson and indeed, before that, Mr Fischer—with respect to matters not strictly within their portfolio, and those questions have been allowed. In one case, for example, the former leader, Mr Anderson, was asked about troops in Iraq, which clearly had nothing to do with his portfolio, and that question was allowed. I wonder if you could examine the record and reconsider your approach to that question and whether or not the position that has prevailed over many years where the Leader of the National Party has been asked questions in their capacity as Leader of the National Party will continue.

The SPEAKER —I thank the member for Melbourne. I ruled on the question at the time. I will re-examine it, but that will not alter my ruling on this particular occasion.