House debates Business
Suspension of Standing and Sessional Orders
Christopher Pyne Sturt, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training
3:03 pm
I move:
That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the Member for Sturt moving immediately—That the House considers the statement made this day by the Member for Dobell especially in light of the clear indication of the House given before Question Time that the House wishes this matter to be debated.
Before question time, two votes were taken in this House to gag members of the opposition—the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and me—on a motion to take note of the statement by the member for Dobell. Both of those votes were won by the opposition and, because of the time running out for the suspension of standing orders due to its being counted, the opportunity to debate that motion was not given. Hence, I am moving now—this is just taking up my time, Madam Deputy Speaker.
Ms Anna Burke Deputy-Speaker
The Manager of Opposition Business understands full well that points of order can be taken.
Anthony Albanese Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House
Madam Deputy Speaker, on a point of order, the Manager of Opposition Business makes a statement that is not correct at all. It is the case that we have dealt with this issue.
Ms Anna Burke Deputy-Speaker
The Leader of the House will resume his seat. The Manager of Opposition Business will refer to the motion before the chair—and that is for me to determine, not the member for North Sydney.
Christopher Pyne Sturt, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training
Madam Deputy Speaker, I have not yet been given the opportunity to speak to the motion. In fact, this matter was not resolved before question time because it was never put to a vote, and that is why it is perfectly in order for it to be put again. If the Leader of the House knew his job, he would know that. The reason why standing orders must be suspended—
Ms Anna Burke Deputy-Speaker
The Manager of Opposition Business is not assisting!
Government members interjecting—
Christopher Pyne Sturt, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training
This is just taking up my time, Madam Deputy Speaker.
Anthony Albanese Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House
Madam Deputy Speaker, I ask the Manager of Opposition Business to withdraw.
Christopher Pyne Sturt, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training
What on earth would I be withdrawing, Madam Deputy Speaker—that he does not know how to do his job?
Ms Anna Burke Deputy-Speaker
The Manager of Opposition Business will withdraw so we can progress with the debate.
Christopher Pyne Sturt, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training
I withdraw. The reason why standing orders must be suspended is that the statement by the member for Dobell today is the most important matter before the House. The fact that the government moved before question time to gag debate on the member for Dobell's statement was an extraordinary act in the continuing protection racket that surrounds the member for Dobell coming from the government.
Ms Anna Burke Deputy-Speaker
The Manager of Opposition Business will not use that inflammatory language in respect of this issue.
Anthony Albanese Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House
Madam Deputy Speaker, I raise a point of order. The Acting Prime Minister withdrew a statement earlier today in question time after an objection by those opposite. I take offence at that comment, as the Manager of Opposition Business took offence at the previous comment, and I ask that he withdraw.
Ms Anna Burke Deputy-Speaker
The Leader of the House will resume his seat. I am not going to ask the Manager of Opposition Business to withdraw but I will ask him to return to the motion before the chair.
Christopher Pyne Sturt, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training
Thank you Madam Deputy Speaker. The House has on many occasions dealt with very serious suggestions when a member of parliament has been accused of bringing the parliament into disrepute. We have an 1,100-page report from Fair Work Australia into the member for Dobell.
Anthony Albanese Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House
3:07 pm
I move:
That the member be no longer heard
Ms Anna Burke Deputy-Speaker
The question is that the member be no longer heard.
Is the motion to suspend standing and sessional orders seconded?
Ms Julie Bishop Curtin, Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition
3:19 pm
I second the motion and I reserve my right to speak.
Anthony Albanese Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House
Earlier today, the member for Dobell made a statement before this parliament. That was something that members of the opposition had requested him to do. That having been done, what is not appropriate is that this body now become a kangaroo court that debates the merits of that. Therefore, I move:
That the question be put.
Unidentified interjection - Hansard doesn't record who said this
Opposition Members:
Opposition members interjecting—
Ms Anna Burke Deputy-Speaker
The question is that the motion be agreed to.
Joe Hockey North Sydney, Liberal Party, Shadow Treasurer
Defending him to the last, hey?
Ms Anna Burke Deputy-Speaker
The member for North Sydney is not assisting, and he should respect the standing orders.
Wayne Swan Lilley, Australian Labor Party, Treasurer
I ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper.