Christian Porter’s blind trust should be examined by parliament – but it won’t be and that’s crushingly predictable

Normally referrals to the privileges committee are waved through on the voices but on Wednesday afternoon Peter Dutton bowled up a rude shock

• Government defeats Labor push to refer Christian Porter to privileges committee

If you weren't glued to the House of Representatives on Wednesday afternoon, let me bring you up to speed. The Speaker of the house, Tony Smith, a cautious and considered person, examined whether or not the privileges committee of the parliament should take a look at Christian Porter's use of a blind trust to pay some of his legal fees.

Smith's view was there was an issue to examine. This wasn't any rash pre-judgment of the facts - merely a procedural determination - so on Wednesday afternoon after question time, the Speaker allowed Labor to move the necessary referral motion. Smith granted precedence.