House debates

Thursday, 29 October 2009

Questions without Notice

Asylum Seekers

2:28 pm

Photo of Sussan LeySussan Ley (Farrer, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Justice and Customs) Share this | | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. Will the Prime Minister confirm that there are 119 people on board the Oceanic Viking, which is only licensed to carry a total of 75 people? Will the Prime Minister inform the House what arrangements are in place to ensure that the vessel has adequate food, water, safety equipment and medical and other supplies?

Photo of Kevin RuddKevin Rudd (Griffith, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | | Hansard source

They come from the right; they come from the left; they come from everywhere! This was the question which was asked yesterday which carries with it the implication that, because of the capacity of the Oceanic Viking, this country should not have honoured its obligations under international maritime law. That is exactly why it was asked. For the benefit of the honourable member for Farrer, the capacity of the Oceanic Viking is 75. On 18 September the Viking received an exemption to carry up to 120 people. Furthermore, the point is the Safety of Life at Sea—SOLAS—Convention provides that a ship’s master can take on as many persons as required to save lives. That is what international law has to say; that is what international maritime law has to say. Can I say therefore to the honourable member, as she and the member for Warringah and the others all build up to—

Photo of Harry JenkinsHarry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

The Prime Minister—

Photo of Kevin RuddKevin Rudd (Griffith, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | | Hansard source

the inevitability of the—

Photo of Harry JenkinsHarry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

The Prime Minister—

Photo of Kevin RuddKevin Rudd (Griffith, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | | Hansard source

‘save Malcolm Turnbull’ censure—

Photo of Harry JenkinsHarry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

The Prime Minister will resume his seat.

Photo of Kevin RuddKevin Rudd (Griffith, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | | Hansard source

motion today—

Photo of Alby SchultzAlby Schultz (Hume, Liberal Party) Share this | | Hansard source

Sit down, Motormouth!

Photo of Harry JenkinsHarry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

The member for Hume will withdraw.

Honourable Members:

Honourable members interjecting

Photo of Harry JenkinsHarry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

The member for Hume will withdraw.

Photo of Alby SchultzAlby Schultz (Hume, Liberal Party) Share this | | Hansard source

Withdraw what, Mr Speaker?

Photo of Harry JenkinsHarry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

The member for Hume will withdraw.

Photo of Alby SchultzAlby Schultz (Hume, Liberal Party) Share this | | Hansard source

What? ‘Motormouth’? I withdraw.

Photo of Harry JenkinsHarry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

The member for Hume will leave the chamber for one hour under 94(a).

The member for Hume then left the chamber.

Photo of Mrs Bronwyn BishopMrs Bronwyn Bishop (Mackellar, Liberal Party) Share this | | Hansard source

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop interjecting

Photo of Harry JenkinsHarry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

I would hope that the member for Mackellar’s sotto voce comment is not directed at me.

Photo of Mrs Bronwyn BishopMrs Bronwyn Bishop (Mackellar, Liberal Party) Share this | | Hansard source

No.

Photo of Sussan LeySussan Ley (Farrer, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Justice and Customs) Share this | | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order. Can I just bring the Prime Minister back to the second part of the question—

Photo of Harry JenkinsHarry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

Order! The member for Farrer will resume her seat.

Photo of Sussan LeySussan Ley (Farrer, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Justice and Customs) Share this | | Hansard source

about ensuring the vessel has adequate supplies.

Photo of Harry JenkinsHarry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

Order! The member for Farrer will leave the chamber under 94(a) for one hour.

The member for Farrer then left the chamber.

Photo of Christopher PyneChristopher Pyne (Sturt, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training) Share this | | Hansard source

Mr Speaker—

Photo of Harry JenkinsHarry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

The member for Sturt will resume his seat. I simply say at least the member for Sturt has the courage to come forward to the dispatch box. There have been a lot of unwarranted comments being made. The member for Sturt.

Photo of Christopher PyneChristopher Pyne (Sturt, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training) Share this | | Hansard source

Thank you, Mr Speaker. With the greatest of respect, earlier in question time I stood to make a point of order during the Prime Minister’s answer and he continued to speak even though you could see me at the dispatch box, and then he said he had concluded his answer. I fail to see how his behaviour then was any different to the situation that has just occurred. I would ask you to reconsider, if at all possible, your punting of the member for Farrer, for want of a better description.

Photo of Harry JenkinsHarry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

The Manager of Opposition Business is trying to make an analogy out something that I do not see. In fact, I was quite happy that we saved some time in the incident that he raises. If he wants me to delay the proceedings of the House by interrupting answers that are about to be concluded I do not think that that really assists the House, because it does lead to frustration. I make the observation, as I have in the past, that not necessarily should I give tutes on the way in which people should conduct themselves. But I would note the observation that every action seems to have a reaction in this House and I think that we should avoid that.

Photo of Kevin RuddKevin Rudd (Griffith, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | | Hansard source

The member for Farrer asked me about the capacity of the vessel, the number of people on board the vessel, and therefore whether it was capable of discharging its functions. My answer was that the capacity of the vessel was 75 and this was extended to 120 as of a decision of 18 September. I further said that the provisions under international maritime law made it such that, under the Safety of Life at Sea—SOLAS—Convention, masters of vessels may take on as many persons as required to save lives. The honourable member for Farrer was contending I was not answering the question. I would suggest, Mr Speaker, that that did constitute an answer to the question. She also went on to ask about the appropriate provisioning of the vessel in the future. Practical arrangements are in hand for all of that to occur in consultation with the Indonesian authorities, as you would expect. But I go back to my point, Mr Speaker: what’s it all about? It is building up to the inevitability of another Thursday censure motion to defend the leadership of the Leader of the Liberal Party as he rallies the Right around the flag to save for another two weeks his leadership, given it has been under such systematic pressure and stress for such a long period of time. Unfortunately, Mr Speaker, the good citizens of Wentworth thought better of him.