House debates Questions without Notice

Prime Minister

Thursday, 4 December 2014 House of Representatives

Ms Catherine King

Ms Catherine King Ballarat, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Health

2:12 pm

My question is of course to the Prime Minister. Why did the Prime Minister lie to Australians before the election—

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker

The member will resume her seat. That is totally inappropriate behaviour and the member will leave under 94(a).

Tanya Plibersek

Tanya Plibersek Sydney, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition

I rise on a point of order. I was sitting directly behind the member. I could not hear the question because the microphone was switched off. Can you advise why the microphone was switched off at that time.

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker

Yes—because I asked her to resume her seat, which you can do sequentially.

Mr Tony Burke

Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance

I am trying to work out what the member for Ballarat was thrown out for.

Mr Tony Burke

Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance

No, we do not. I have a point of order.

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker

The member will resume his seat. You are not entitled to ask.

Mark Dreyfus

Mark Dreyfus Isaacs, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Attorney General

We are in a dictatorship here.

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker

I warn the member for Isaacs!

Mr Tony Burke

Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance

I have a point of order in terms of the form of the question. I am asking whether the form of the question—given the use of the word 'lie', which you have not previously ruled out—is why the member has been expelled. Previously you have ruled that the word 'liar' is unacceptable, but 'lie' you have allowed.

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker

There is no point of order. The member will resume his seat.