House debates Questions without Notice
House of Representatives
Michelle Ananda-Rajah Higgins, Australian Labor Party
3:07 pm
My question is to the Leader of the House. Can the Leader of the House provide an update on the work of the chamber, including seating arrangements in the House of Representatives?
Unidentified interjection - Hansard doesn't record who said this
Opposition Members:
Opposition members interjecting—
Milton Dick Speaker
The member for Riverina and other members shall cease interjecting.
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations
3:08 pm
I thank the member for Higgins for an opportunity to talk about the work of the chamber and the rare opportunity, as Leader of the House, to talk about some of the seating arrangements within the chamber—not an issue that I often get to discuss.
On the work of the chamber, there is the important role of the chamber in bringing people together. There is a fundamentally important role of the chamber in bringing people together, and I do want to acknowledge the conversations that have happened, including with the crossbench, on making sure that we find opportunities within this House to be able to perform the leadership role of bringing people together at a time where there is so much difficulty across the country. I want to acknowledge that with respect to the work of the chamber.
With respect to seating arrangements, the seating arrangements have changed significantly during this term.
Dan Tehan Wannon, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Immigration and Citizenship
Point of order: 340 hardcore—
Milton Dick Speaker
I haven't given you the call. Resume your seat. The member for Wannon knows that is an abuse of the standing orders.
The member for Groom will leave the chamber under 94(a). He was on a warning.
The member for Groom then left the chamber.
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations
That same concept of bring people together is something—
Peter Dutton Dickson, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations
On the topic of bringing people together, you stand up?
Milton Dick Speaker
Order! The Leader of the House will resume his seat immediately.
Government members interjecting—
Order, members on my right. Members on my right will cease interjecting. I want to hear from the Leader of the Opposition on a point of order.
Peter Dutton Dickson, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition
Mr Speaker, this makes a complete mockery of the parliament, when this government has other priorities to deal with—