House debates Questions without Notice
Australian Human Rights Commission
Bill Shorten Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
2:01 pm
My question is to the Prime Minister. On Tuesday the Secretary of the Attorney-General's Department said that the Attorney-General had wanted him to point out that the government was prepared to consider a specific senior role for the President of the Human Rights Commission, but yesterday the Prime Minister said: 'She was not asked to resign and no inducement had been offered.' Prime Minister, what is the government's story today?
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
The same as yesterday, the same as the day before that, the same as the day before that. Our story is always consistent, it is always correct and it is always to do the right thing by the people of Australia. Old 'Beltway Bill' cannot help himself—
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. Can you ask the Prime Minister to address members by their correct titles please and withdraw the reference he made.
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
I call the Prime Minister. He will address members by their correct title.
Opposition members interjecting—
We will have silence on my left so that, if they are addressed by their correct title, you will hear it. The Prime Minister has the call.
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
To put the—
Opposition members: Withdraw!
There is nothing unparliamentary about 'Beltway Bill', but I will obviously—
Opposition members: There is!
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
I will obviously refer to the Leader of the Opposition by his correct title. To put the Leader of the Opposition's mind at rest: she has not been asked to resign and no inducement has been offered, as the President of the Human Rights Commission herself has said. The bottom line is this: under members opposite—
Opposition members interjecting—
It is all about the children; that is the truth. It is all about the children. Under members opposite there were 2,000 children in immigration detention because those opposite started the boats and they could not stop the boats. Under this government there are just over 100 children in immigration detention.
Opposition members interjecting—
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
The Labor Party put the children into detention; this government takes them out of detention. I am looking forward to the big tick of approval from the Human Rights Commission.