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

I am coming back, Mr Speaker. Because charges have not been laid, it is a matter that can be debated by this House now. Sub judice does not apply—and this is specific to the standing orders—until formal charges have been laid. If we are now saying that we cannot suspend standing orders to have a proper debate about an issue relevant to the words of an individual because it may somehow condemn that individual, that is redefining the operations of this chamber in a substantive way. That is why we are moving the suspension. That is why I would expect that those people who believe in this chamber will similarly support the suspension of standing orders this morning.

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