House debates Statements on Indulgence
Parliamentary Integrity Awards
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for the Arts
3:10 pm
There was an award given today which I think is worthy of acknowledgement. I'll be very brief. It's unusual for all of us to have any occasion where an award is given for our work in parliament, but an award was given both to the former member for Indi, Cathy McGowan, and to you, Mr Speaker.
The Accountability Round Table presented what is called the Parliamentary Integrity Award, and in that they acknowledge the work that you've done as chair—specifically some difficult decisions that you had to make during the medevac debate last year, where, effectively, you handed over a difficult decision to the House itself to resolve—and also for being the first Speaker ever to have been nominated by each side of the House, and I think it's important that the parliament simply note that and congratulate you on it.
Honourable members: Hear, hear!
Scott Morrison Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
3:11 pm
Mr Speaker, can I add to the Manager of Opposition Business's—
Unidentified interjection - Hansard doesn't record who said this
Opposition Members:
Opposition members interjecting—
Scott Morrison Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
I'll ignore the petty interjections. I took the Manager of Opposition Business's statement as a serious attempt to commend the former member for Indi and the Speaker for their excellent work. I didn't think it was some sort of political tactic because—
Mr Albanese interjecting—
I note the Leader of the Opposition is now interjecting on us also. I would simply like to commend the Manager of Opposition Business for bringing this matter to the attention of the House. The government is very pleased to support the comments of the Manager of Opposition Business in commending both the former member for Indi—and I acknowledge the former member for Indi—and you, Mr Speaker, in particular, for your work. Mr Speaker, your stewardship of this House is absolutely exemplary, and we thank you for your stewardship of it every single day. Thank you.
Tony Smith Speaker
3:16 pm
I thank the Manager of Opposition Business and the Prime Minister, and all members—as members leave.