Joe Hockey (North Sydney, Liberal Party, Shadow Treasurer) Share this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I am saying that there should be a suspension of standing orders, which is perfectly legitimate, and it should be done now because traditionally the government has always taken suspensions that go to the character of an individual in this place. Previously, they have always done it. I tell you what—John Howard did it and other Prime Ministers have done it, but this Prime Minister has refused to countenance other motions to suspend standing orders at previous times this week. She even went so far as to close down question time yesterday, which I must say is unprecedented, in order to avoid the scrutiny associated with this suspension—

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