House debates Motions

Deputy Prime Minister

Monday, 4 September 2017 House of Representatives

Mr Tony Burke

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

2:52 pm

I move:

That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the Member for Watson from moving the following motion forthwith—

That the House calls on the Prime Minister to immediately stand aside the Deputy Prime Minister from Cabinet until his constitutional qualifications have been determined by the High Court.

Mr Speaker, this motion deals with one question and one question only. This deals with whether or not this Prime Minister—

Tony Smith

Tony Smith Speaker

The Manager of Opposition Business will resume his seat. The Leader of the House has the call.

Christopher Pyne

Christopher Pyne Sturt, Liberal Party, Leader of the House

2:53 pm

I move:

That the Member be no longer heard.

Tony Smith

Tony Smith Speaker

The question is that the Manager of Opposition Business be no further heard.

Tony Smith

Tony Smith Speaker

3:00 pm

Is the motion seconded?

Joel Fitzgibbon

Joel Fitzgibbon Hunter, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Agriculture

I second the motion. We cannot expect people to have respect for this parliament if this parliament is not prepared to respect the Constitution—

Tony Smith

Tony Smith Speaker

The member for Hunter will resume his seat. The Leader of the House has the call.

Christopher Pyne

Christopher Pyne Sturt, Liberal Party, Leader of the House

He hasn't got his heart in it. I move:

That the Member be no longer heard.

Tony Smith

Tony Smith Speaker

The question is that the member for Hunter be no further heard.

Tony Smith

Tony Smith Speaker

3:04 pm

The question is that the motion moved by the member for Watson be agreed to.