Mr ALBANESE (Grayndler) (3.22 p.m.)—Mr Speaker, I have a question for you and it goes to your decision to choose for discussion today the matter of public importance proposed by the member for Moreton. Given that this is the first time since 2005 that a matter of public importance proposed by the opposition has not been chosen—

Government members interjecting—

Mr ALBANESE—Are you going to keep these people in order at all, Mr Speaker?

The SPEAKER—Order! I am listening closely to the Manager of Opposition Business. Members on my right are not assisting.

Mr ALBANESE—Given that the House of Representatives Practice, a book unfamiliar to the Leader Of the House, indicates very clearly that the matter of public importance is usually reserved for the opposition, and given that the shadow Treasurer submitted an item on productivity and economic performance, which the government says that it wants a debate on—

The SPEAKER—Order! The member is now debating his question.

Mr ALBANESE—why was it not chosen?

The SPEAKER—If the Manager of Opposition Business is a little patient, I will give him an answer when I read out the matter of public importance.