Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to the speech delivered to the Centre for Independent Studies by Dyson Heydon AC, QC shortly before his appointment as royal commissioner. Prime Minister, was this the independent speech of a retired judge who was above politics or a job application for a partisan role? Will his commission be withdrawn?

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No and no to both of the questions posed by the Manager of Opposition Business. I have seen the report of Dyson Heydon's speech to the Centre for Independent Studies, and, my God, I think it was extraordinary! He said that the Rudd government had done 'non-substantive' things. Frankly, that is the best thing that has ever been said about the Rudd government. If there is any bias, it is bias in favour of the Rudd government. He is the least critical person of the Rudd government of anyone in Australia. The Rudd government was so non-substantive that the Leader of the Opposition executed the Prime Minister. The Manager of Opposition Business went on television to re-enact his role in the political assassination of Kevin Rudd.

Really and truly, the idea that Dyson Heydon's statement that there was a tendency by the Rudd government to do non-substantive things is somehow evidence of bias—that is evidence of gentle tolerance of the most incompetent government in Australian history. Let me say this to the Manager of Opposition Business—

Mr Conroy interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Charlton.

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

if it is okay for Michael Kirby, while a serving judge, to address the Labor lawyers, if it is okay for Mary Gaudron, while a serving judge, to address the Labor lawyers, and if it is okay for Michael McHugh, while a serving judge, to address the Labor lawyers, why is it wrong for an ex royal commissioner to address Liberal lawyers? You know, as soon as he realised that it was a Liberal badged event, he pulled out.

Mr Conroy interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Charlton will remove himself under 94(a). He has been warned multiple times.

The member for Charlton then left the chamber.

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yet again, Labor members are verballing a distinguished former High Court judge. It is actually a criminal offence to attack a serving royal commissioner. It is actually a criminal offence. Now I am sure that former justice Dyson Heydon is big enough to deal with the vicious slander from members opposite to which he has been exposed. He is an honourable man. He should be allowed to get on with his job. Members opposite should stop trying to protect and defend the indefensible. (Time expired)