Julie Collins (Franklin, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Ageing and Seniors) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

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—

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

The question is that the member be no further heard.

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

Is the motion seconded?

Susan Templeman (Macquarie, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Does the Prime Minister refuse to condemn Tony Abbott because he privately agrees with his views?

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

The member needs to say whether she's seconding the motion.

Susan Templeman (Macquarie, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

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—

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

The question is that the member be no further heard.

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

The question now is that the motion be agreed to.

Emma McBride (Dobell, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Mental Health) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Every life is precious. I've worked in hospitals for nearly 20 years.

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

The question is that the question be put.

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

The question now is that the motion moved by the member for Franklin be disagreed to.