Peta Murphy (Dunkley, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

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

(1) notes:

(a) the Member for Bowman has reneged on his commitment to resign from all parliamentary positions, and the Prime Minister has failed to force him to do so; and

(b) by refusing to act, the Prime Minister is tacitly endorsing the Member for Bowman's behaviour; and

(2) therefore, calls on the Prime Minister to explain to the House why he has not discharged the Member for Bowman from the Standing Committee on Employment, Education and Training.

This government will be judged on its actions, not its words, because its words mean nothing. No-one on that side of the chamber has acted on their—

Rob Mitchell (McEwen, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The minister, on a point of order?

Rob Mitchell (McEwen, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I don't think so. The Manager of Opposition Business, on a point of order?

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for the Arts) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

To the point of order: I'd invite those opposite to name a single occasion when the House has considered whether or not the Prime Minister should make a statement to the House on this issue, which is what this motion calls for. If you can name what day the House has resolved that then by all means do so.

Rob Mitchell (McEwen, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Manager of Opposition Business is correct. It is substantially different to what was released earlier in the last one, so I'll allow the member for Dunkley to continue.

Peta Murphy (Dunkley, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

From backbencher to backbencher and minister to minister, you decried the member for Bowman's actions. But you won't put actions behind your words, because you can't be trusted.

Rob Mitchell (McEwen, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Dunkley will resume her seat.

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

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

Is the motion seconded?

Kristy McBain (Eden-Monaro, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I second the motion. This is indefensible and shameful. The Australian public deserve better.

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

The member for Eden-Monaro will resume her seat. The minister has the call.

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

The question is that the member be no longer heard. Just while I await the tellers to complete the count, I remind all members, as I did last night, of my statement about the sitting arrangements—member for Hughes, this is directed at you. It is important that you sit in your own seat. In the case of the crossbench, there are specific seats allocated to you. Don't bother moving now. But I just want to be very clear: it's important people sit in their seat. It's not my decision; it's the health advice that we all need to follow.

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

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