Mr PYNE (2:51 PM) —My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer the Prime Minister to the $75 million now being withheld from the New South Wales government as a result of their bungling of her scandal-plagued school hall building program. Isn’t this a damning admission from her that her alibi over the last 12 months that waste, mismanagement, profiteering and gouging were isolated examples was simply untrue and that her program has in fact been beset with failure from the outset?

Mr Albanese —Mr Speaker, I raise a point of order. While it is the case that you have allowed some argument, this is all argument and the question is out of order.

The SPEAKER —I would say that it is replete with argument and I am sure that the member is getting to his question. The caution that has been illustrated by the point of order of the Leader of the House should be taken into account in the preparation of questions, because there does have to be a limit about how far we are going to allow the argument to be put into the question, which is outside, as he knows, the standing orders.

Mr PYNE —My final question to the Prime Minister is: rather than delivering her programs successfully has she been more focused on delivering the blood stained knock on the door at midnight?

The SPEAKER —Order! The Leader of the House will resume his seat. I think that I would have to, because of the way in which the question has now concluded, rule the question out of order.