Kate Chaney (Curtin, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

Everyone I speak to in my community about parliament pretty much has the same feedback. That is: why is the behaviour in parliament so appalling? There is a standard of behaviour that's considered acceptable in this room that would not be acceptable in any boardroom, classroom or even clubroom in the country. This is really unacceptable. We had this 2021 Set the standard report; we now have a behaviour code for Australian parliamentarians. People are horrified when I tell them, 'Oh, yeah, that only applies to behaviour outside the chamber.' The expectation that people are treated with dignity, courtesy, fairness and respect doesn't apply when we're actually in the House of Representatives, and I don't think that meets community standards. I think there is an expectation that we are able to have civil debate, disagree and have robust discussions on policy matters while treating each other with dignity, courtesy, fairness and respect. I would really urge the government to consider making that change to the standing orders so that the new standard of behaviour that we expect outside this room also applies in this room, where Australians actually see us.

If that is not done, and if the government refers it to the procedure committee instead, I would really urge the procedure committee to make recommendations about those changes. I gave evidence to the procedure committee in the last term of parliament on this topic and on the need to increase the level of respect in the chamber, and, as far as I can see, not a lot has happened to develop a positive duty of respect and dignity in the chamber as a result of that evidence. I hope that, if this does go to the procedure committee, they feel empowered to act to lift the standard so that we are actually meeting the expectations of the Australian community in this room.

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