Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Mackellar, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have a question to you relating to a practice that has been developed by the opposition during question time when a minister is speaking, giving an answer—the practice of a variety of members who sit in the vicinity behind the Leader of the Opposition of standing up and blocking the camera.

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The member for Mackellar has the call.

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Mackellar, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I refer to an article in today’s Financial Review which says:

Just as Workplace Relations Minister Joe Hockey reached the crescendo of his attack on Labor’s IR policy yesterday, shadow treasurer Wayne Swan bobbed to his feet, ruining any footage TV cameras might have used for that night’s news.

This is clearly unruly behaviour—

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order, members on my left!

Joel Fitzgibbon (Hunter, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Fitzgibbon interjecting

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Hunter is warned!

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Mackellar, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

and disorderly. I would ask you to consider the practice and what action you might take in future when the same practice is used.

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Mackellar. I make the following points in response. Those who watch the television at question time would note that the operator does switch from camera to camera. So standing up, of itself, does not block the image. I would also remind all members of standing order 62, which is what I think the member for Mackellar is referring to.