Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. Can the Prime Minister outline the exact process and time line the government took in appointing Dyson Heydon as royal commissioner?

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I certainly can inform the member who asked the question that Dyson Heydon has a marvellous record as a judge of the New South Wales Court of Appeal.

Ms Plibersek interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Sydney is warned.

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

He was appointed by the Labor government of New South Wales. He was appointed by the Labor Attorney-General of New South Wales to be a judge of the Court of Appeal. Yes, he was appointed by the Howard government to be a judge of the High Court. Dyson Heydon has served with great distinction as a judge and he is doing valuable and necessary work as a royal commissioner into union corruption. He is doing valuable and necessary work.

Terri Butler (Griffith, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order on direct relevance. To be relevant, the Prime Minister needs to address the question.

Mrs McNamara interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Dobell will leave the chamber under 94(a).

The member for Dobell then left the chamber.

The member for Griffith on a point of order.

Ms Kate Ellis interjecting—

The member for Adelaide will cease interjecting. She has been warned twice.

Ms MacTiernan interjecting—

Member for Perth, you are interrupting the member for Griffith.

Terri Butler (Griffith, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Mr Speaker. To be relevant, the Prime Minister needs to come to the issue of how Mr Heydon was appointed to the present royal commission.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Prime Minister has only just begun his answer.

Honourable members interjecting—

I would like to address this without interjection from either side. It was a question that I considered not allowing, given that no minister would carry every single detail with them. But I allowed the question for the Prime Minister to address it.

Honourable members interjecting—

You will cease interjecting.

Mr Brendan O'Connor interjecting—

The member for Gorton will leave under 94(a). He has been warned three times. You have decided to eject yourself.

The member for Gorton then left the chamber.

The Prime Minister will come back to the answer and address the question.

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The honourable Dyson Heydon AC QC is doing very valuable work, pointing out—

Pat Conroy (Charlton, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

For the Liberals!

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Let's understand—

Mr Swan interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Lilley will cease interjecting.

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Let's understand what members opposite are saying here. Members opposite are trying to suggest that because Dyson Heydon AC QC agreed to go to a Liberal event—not a fundraiser but a networking event—once he was no longer a royal commissioner that somehow he did the wrong thing.

Opposition members: Yes!

That's it, is it? Okay.

Mr Tehan interjecting—

Mr Nikolic interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Wannon and the member for Bass are warned!

Mr Thistlethwaite interjecting—

The member for Kingsford Smith!

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

They agree that is the charge against ex-Justice Dyson Heydon. All right. Michael Kirby addressed the Society of Labor Lawyers while a judge of the New South Wales Court of Appeal. Mary Gaudron addressed the Society of Labor Lawyers while a High Court judge. Michael McHugh addressed the Society of Labor Lawyers while on the New South Wales Court of Appeal. Did any of them do anything wrong? No, they did not. Did any of that attack their integrity or impugn their integrity? No, it did not.

Government members interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Members on my right!

Mr Pasin interjecting—

Member for Barker!

Mr Swan interjecting—

The member for Lilley is warned!

Ms Ryan interjecting—

Member for Lalor, the Prime Minister has the call.

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In November last year—

Mr Sukkar interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Deakin will leave under 94(a)

The member for Deakin then left the chamber.

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

a serving New South Wales judge agreed to deliver the Frank Walker memorial lecture for the New South Wales Society of Labor Lawyers. The only people who have done anything wrong here are members opposite, who are smearing a decent man to cover up— (Time expired)

Mr Danby interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Member for Melbourne Ports, you have been warned twice. That is your last warning.