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Tuesday, 5 February 2013
Page: 19

Foreign Affairs

Ms JULIE BISHOP ( Curtin — Deputy Leader of the Opposition ) ( 15: 09 ): My question is to the Attorney-General. As a member of the National Security Committee of cabinet, does the Attorney-General agree with the foreign minister that the settlements on the West Bank are illegal under international law?

Honourable members interjecting—

The SPEAKER: Order! I was actually about to point out that this is not within the Attorney-General's portfolio. The Manager of Opposition Business will resume his seat. The Leader of the House was on his feet first. The Leader of the House has the call.

Mr Albanese: The big hint here is the fact that the shadow minister for foreign affairs asked the question. I know it is unusual for the shadow minister for foreign affairs to ask a question about her portfolio, but she should be across her portfolio enough to know who the minister is and who the minister representing the minister for foreign affairs is, and it is not the Attorney-General, it is the Minister for Trade.

The SPEAKER: The Leader of the House will resume his seat. The Manager of Opposition Business on a point of order.

Mr Pyne: Madam Speaker, on the issue before the chair, the Attorney-General is a member of the National Security Committee of cabinet which deals will these issues. With the issues of international law you would have expected that the Minister for Foreign Affairs would have sought the advice of the Attorney-General's Department about whether the settlements on the West Bank were, in fact, illegal under international law. Given he would have sought that advice, I would assume the Attorney-General would be aware of it.

The SPEAKER: The Manager of Opposition Business will resume his seat. The question is out of order.

Honourable members interjecting—

Mr Abbott interjecting—

The SPEAKER: Order! The Leader of the Opposition will withdraw that statement. The member for Canberra has the call.

Mr Abbott interjecting—