House debates Parliamentary Office Holders
Speaker's Panel
Peter Slipper Speaker
3:26 pm
Pursuant to standing order 17, I lay on the table my warrant nominating the honourable members for Oxley, Newcastle, Bass and McEwen to be members of the Speaker's panel to assist the chair when requested to do so by the Speaker or Deputy Speaker.
Mrs Mirabella interjecting—
Anthony Albanese Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House
I would ask the member for Indi to withdraw the unparliamentary remark.
Peter Slipper Speaker
The Leader of the House has an advantage over me insofar as I did not hear the remark. Is the honourable member for Indi prepared to assist the House by withdrawing the offensive term?
Sophie Mirabella Indi, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Innovation, Industry and Science
Mr Speaker, I will assist you, but I do not understand why the word 'Mensa' is unparliamentary.
Anthony Albanese Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House
That is not what she said.
Sophie Mirabella Indi, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Innovation, Industry and Science
Yes, I did.
Peter Slipper Speaker
When an honourable member says that he or she did not say something, unless I hear it, I have to accept that honourable member's word.
Anthony Albanese Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House
I accept that. We are all accountable for our own actions.