Julie Collins Franklin, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Ageing and Seniors
4:13 pm
I seek leave to move the following motion:
That the House:
(1) notes:
(a) comments from Tony Abbott reported today that suggest the families of older Australians with COVID-19 should just "let nature take its course";
(b) the Prime Minister has previously said comments like this are "amoral" and "hideous";
(c) the Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians was willing to condemn Mr Abbott's comments, but given the opportunity, the Prime Minister refused;
(d) the Prime Minister's moral standards do not seem to extend to former Liberal Prime Ministers; and
(e) comments like Mr Abbott's must be condemned in the strongest possible terms; and
(2) invites the Prime Minister to make a statement in this House on this matter immediately.
Leave not granted.
I move:
That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent the Member for Franklin from moving the following motion immediately—That the House:
(1) notes:
(a) comments from Tony Abbott reported today that suggest the families of older Australians with COVID-19 should just "let nature take its course";
(b) the Prime Minister has previously said comments like this are "amoral" and "hideous";
(c) the Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians was willing to condemn Mr Abbott's comments, but given the opportunity, the Prime Minister refused;
(d) the Prime Minister's moral standards do not seem to extend to former Liberal Prime Ministers; and
(e) comments like Mr Abbott's must be condemned in the strongest possible terms; and
(2) invites the Prime Minister to make a statement in this House on this matter immediately.
We have 450 families that have loved ones that are deceased, who are pleading with the Prime Minister—
Ben Morton Tangney, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister and Cabinet
4:15 pm
I move:
That the Member be no longer heard.
Susan Templeman Macquarie, Australian Labor Party
4:22 pm
Does the Prime Minister refuse to condemn Tony Abbott because he privately agrees with his views?
Tony Smith Speaker
The member needs to say whether she's seconding the motion.
Susan Templeman Macquarie, Australian Labor Party
I second it. Does the Prime Minister refuse to condemn Tony Abbott because he privately agrees? This is a Prime Minister who has described aged care as—
Ben Morton Tangney, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister and Cabinet
I move:
That the Member be no longer heard.
Emma McBride Dobell, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Mental Health
Every life is precious. I've worked in hospitals for nearly 20 years.
Ben Morton Tangney, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister and Cabinet
4:25 pm
I move:
That the question be now put.
Tony Smith Speaker
4:27 pm
The question now is that the motion moved by the member for Franklin be disagreed to.