Angie Bell (Moncrieff, Liberal National Party, Shadow Minister for Early Childhood Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Earlier today in the chamber the member for Hawke interjected with statements about my own family life, which were unacceptable, especially post the Jenkins report. I wrote to you regarding the incident. I accept that the member has stood up and apologised for something that was an interjection, but I place a record that it was not an interjection; it was a slur on my family. I think it should be outlined that that was unacceptable.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Just to assist the member, are you asking for an update on the correspondence that you wrote to me?

Angie Bell (Moncrieff, Liberal National Party, Shadow Minister for Early Childhood Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I asked the Speaker for an update on the correspondence.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank you for your question. I acknowledge your letter and did discuss this with you before question time. I can confirm I have reviewed the footage. I've spoken to the deputy speaker who was in the chair at the time. I understand now that the member for Hawke has unreservedly apologised for interjecting. It is not clear what that interjection was during the footage that I have reviewed, but I want to remind all members on the importance of respectful debate in the chamber at all times. I thank the member for raising it with me, but I want to reiterate to all members: if you believe you have been spoken about in a way that is disrespectful or indeed if any member believes another member has been spoken about in a way that is disrespectful, the time to raise that issue is when it happens. At the discretion of the chair, action may be taken at the time when a comment is brought to the attention of the chair. I remind all members of that process.