House debates Questions without Notice

International Women's Day

Wednesday, 4 March 2015 House of Representatives

Bill Shorten

Bill Shorten Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition

2:53 pm

My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer him to this—

Bill Shorten

Bill Shorten Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition

I am just quoting from TheCourier Mail.

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker

Then keep it down on the dispatch box.

Bill Shorten

Bill Shorten Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition

I refer him to The Courier Mail report, which states that the LNP will host its International Women's Day event at a men-only club in Brisbane. As the minister for women, does the Prime Minister think that this is right?

Honourable members interjecting—

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker

There will be silence.

Honourable members interjecting—

There will be silence on both sides of the House. If it is male-only, I am interested to hear how the women got in. The Prime Minister has the call.

Tony Abbott

Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister

2:54 pm

Madam Speaker, this is just how wonderful this broad church is that I lead. Obviously, they have now broken down the last barrier, and they have made the men-only club admit women.

Government members: Hear, hear!

Isn't that fantastic! At last this bastion of chauvinism has admitted women. They have admitted women, and they have done it on International Women's Day because of the Liberal National Party. Good on the Liberal-National Party for smashing the glass ceiling yet again. Yet again, we are smashing the glass ceiling. I say congratulations, and thank God! Thank God that bastion of old fashioned chauvinism has finally collapsed like the walls of Jericho at the trumpet cry of the Liberal-National Party!