Ms Catherine King (Ballarat, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave of the House to move the following motion:

That the House:

(1) notes that:

(a) the Audit Office found the Government paid $30 million for a piece of land that was worth $3 million;

(b) the Minister for Infrastructure has described this purchase as a "bargain";

(c) last night, the Audit Office confirmed it provided information to the Australian Federal Police on 10 July this year about possible defrauding of the Commonwealth;

(d) the Australian Federal Police is now investigating possible criminal conduct;

(e) the Government never misses an opportunity to rort taxpayer funds; and

(f) the Prime Minister announced a Commonwealth Integrity Commission years ago but has failed to introduce legislation to establish one; and

(2) therefore, calls on the Minister for Infrastructure to attend the House and explain all he knows about this dirty deal and why he says it's a "bargain".

Leave not granted.

I move:

That so much of standing orders be suspended as would prevent the Member for Ballarat from moving the following motion immediately:

That the House:

(1) notes that:

(a) the Audit Office found the Government paid $30 million for a piece of land that was worth $3 million;

(b) the Minister for Infrastructure has described this purchase as a "bargain";

(c) last night, the Audit Office confirmed it provided information to the Australian Federal Police on 10 July this year about possible defrauding of the Commonwealth;

(d) the Australian Federal Police is now investigating possible criminal conduct;

(e) the Government never misses an opportunity to rort taxpayer funds; and

(f) the Prime Minister announced a Commonwealth Integrity Commission years ago but has failed to introduce legislation to establish one; and

(2) therefore, calls on the Minister for Infrastructure to attend the House and explain all he knows about this dirty deal and why he says it's a "bargain".

This is a scandal of the highest order and it goes to the heart—

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

The member for Ballarat will resume her seat. The minister has the call.

Darren Chester (Gippsland, National Party, Deputy Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Member be no longer heard.

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

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

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

Is the motion seconded?

Andrew Giles (Scullin, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Cities and Urban Infrastructure) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes. It was a dirty deal, but it was not done dirt cheap. This is what—

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

The member for Scullin will resume his seat. The minister has the call.

Darren Chester (Gippsland, National Party, Deputy Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Member be no longer heard.

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

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

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

The question now is that the motion moved by the member for Ballarat be disagreed to. There being more than one voice calling for a division, in accordance with standing order 133 the division is deferred until after the discussion of the matter of public importance.

Debate adjourned.