House debates

Wednesday, 24 November 2021

Questions without Notice

Member for Dawson

3:07 pm

Photo of Anthony AlbaneseAnthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | | Hansard source

My question is again to the Prime Minister. I refer to his previous answer in response to my question about the comments in this parliament from the member for Dawson, in which he refused to mention the member for Dawson. I invite him to directly condemn the member for Dawson for the very specific comments that he has made, saying that part of the solution is, to quote him—I don't say this lightly—civil disobedience.

3:08 pm

Photo of Scott MorrisonScott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | | Hansard source

I restate exactly what I said in my answer to the previous question. I note this, though—this is a quote from Sally McManus—

Photo of Andrew WallaceAndrew Wallace (Fisher, Liberal Party) Share this | | Hansard source

The Leader of the Opposition on a point of order?

Photo of Anthony AlbaneseAnthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | | Hansard source

It goes to direct relevance. This was a very specific question about a member of this Prime Minister's government and statements that were made in this parliament.

Photo of Andrew WallaceAndrew Wallace (Fisher, Liberal Party) Share this | | Hansard source

The Prime Minister is entitled to some preamble, but it was a very direct question. I'm going to ask the Prime Minister to respond to the question.

Photo of Scott MorrisonScott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | | Hansard source

I'll complete the quote that I was going to refer to because it's relevant, Mr Speaker.

Photo of Andrew WallaceAndrew Wallace (Fisher, Liberal Party) Share this | | Hansard source

The Prime Minister will resume his seat. The Prime Minister will directly respond to the question. It's not appropriate 12 seconds or 15 seconds into an answer to quote Sally McManus. I ask the Prime Minister to respond to the question directly, please.

Photo of Scott MorrisonScott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | | Hansard source

I do condemn those statements, and I also condemn statements like this—

Honourable members interjecting

You're very touchy on this, aren't you? You don't want me to read it out, do you?

Photo of Andrew WallaceAndrew Wallace (Fisher, Liberal Party) Share this | | Hansard source

Order! The Manager of Opposition Business?

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

I raise a point of order under standing order 91(c), where a member's conduct shall be considered disorderly if the member has 'persistently and wilfully refused to conform to a standing order', which is exactly what the Prime Minister is now doing in defiance of your ruling.

Photo of Andrew WallaceAndrew Wallace (Fisher, Liberal Party) Share this | | Hansard source

The Prime Minister has the call. I'd ask the Prime Minister again to respond to the question and be directly relevant to the question.

Photo of Scott MorrisonScott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | | Hansard source

On the point of order: I have responded directly to the member's question in denunciating those statements. I've been very clear about that.

I believe in the rule of law when the law is fair and the law is right—

Photo of Andrew WallaceAndrew Wallace (Fisher, Liberal Party) Share this | | Hansard source

The Prime Minister will resume his seat. I'll go to the next question.