House debates Questions without Notice
Member for Dawson
Anthony Albanese Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
3:07 pm
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.
Scott Morrison Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
3:08 pm
I restate exactly what I said in my answer to the previous question. I note this, though—this is a quote from Sally McManus—
Andrew Wallace Fisher, Liberal Party
The Leader of the Opposition on a point of order?
Anthony Albanese Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
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.
Andrew Wallace Fisher, Liberal Party
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.
Scott Morrison Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
I'll complete the quote that I was going to refer to because it's relevant, Mr Speaker.
Andrew Wallace Fisher, Liberal Party
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.
Scott Morrison Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
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?
Andrew Wallace Fisher, Liberal Party
Order! The Manager of Opposition Business?
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for the Arts
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.
Andrew Wallace Fisher, Liberal Party
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.
Scott Morrison Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
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—
Andrew Wallace Fisher, Liberal Party
The Prime Minister will resume his seat. I'll go to the next question.