Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Last Thursday the Leader of the House raised with me a tweet by the member for Rankin which repeated unparliamentary language that I had asked the member for Rankin earlier to withdraw. The repetition of unparliamentary language by the member for Rankin in his withdrawal led me to name him for defying the Chair. He was subsequently suspended from the services of the House for 24 hours. It appears the tweet was sent after the member's suspension from the House.

I caution members that communications via electronic devices, whether in the chamber or not, are unlikely to be covered by parliamentary privilege, exposing members to the possibility of legal action. I am not proposing to take any other action in relation to this matter.

Christopher Pyne (Sturt, Liberal Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Madam Speaker, on the statement you made earlier with respect to the member for Rankin, I would respectfully ask you to consider whether you might ask the member for Rankin, when he does return to the House, to apologise for repeating the unparliamentary—

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Leader of the House will resume his seat.

Mr Snowdon interjecting—

And the member for Lingiari will desist or leave—one or the other.

Mr Snowdon interjecting—

Answering back implies that you wish to leave. I have made my statement, and I said I propose taking no further action in relation to the matter referring to the member for Rankin. The matter is concluded. I call the Leader of the House.