House debates Questions without Notice
National Security
Kevin Hogan Page, National Party, Deputy Manager of Opposition Business in the House
3:01 pm
My question is to the Prime Minister. Prime Minister, in a June 2025 secret meeting, the Minister for Home Affairs committed to find a way to return ISIS sympathisers to Australia. He said, 'The success of the first cohort arriving will be a great help to bring more to Australia.' At 5.30 pm today, another plane-load of ISIS sympathisers will touch down on Australian soil. Will the Prime Minister now admit this was all part of the Labor government's plan?
Anthony Albanese Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister
I just gave a speech about social cohesion. We are—
Unidentified interjection - Hansard doesn't record who said this
Hon. Members:
Honourable members interjecting—
Anthony Albanese Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister
I make three points. Point 1—I have nothing but contempt for anyone who has any sympathy for ISIS. I would hope everyone in this chamber would agree. It should not be an issue of partisanship. Point 2—the government has provided no assistance for these people. Point 3—any breaches of the law will mean that these people will face the full force of the law to the extent available upon the advice of the security agencies.
Dan Tehan Wannon, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction
I seek to table a document. It's the notes from the Minister for Home Affairs' meeting with Save the Children, which refer to—
Honourable members interjecting—
Milton Dick Speaker
Order! If the manager is seeking to table a document—
Government members interjecting—
Dan Tehan Wannon, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction
I did. I said I'm seeking to table—because there was so much noise. It's about your notes.
Leave not granted.
Milton Dick Speaker
A member can table a document, but resume your seat.
Dan Tehan Wannon, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction
Yes, thank you.
Milton Dick Speaker
That's no problem.
Honourable members interjecting—
If the manager wants to put it on record that he wanted to table—
That's why I said he was seeking to table a document—so it was on the record. But the manager wishes to go through this. He's done—
Government members interjecting—
Dan Tehan Wannon, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction
They turned the microphone off, and there was noise. So I'm allowed to table the document.
Honourable members interjecting—
Milton Dick Speaker
We'll deal with this. I understand where the manager is coming from. The microphone wasn't turned on because—
Honourable members interjecting—
Order! I understand where he's coming from, and I'm trying to help him out here.
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House
In the first instance, the member has made a reflection on the Speaker in terms of the microphone being turned off. For every member of this House, if you don't have the call, your microphone is not on. If you decide to stand up and speak without having the call, your microphone is not going to be on. That's not a reflection on the Speaker. I would add, second to that, that the Speaker then put directly to the House, 'Is leave granted?'—for the document that you were requesting to be tabled to be tabled—and the answer was no.
Milton Dick Speaker
The manager wishes to clarify this matter for the benefit of the House.
Dan Tehan Wannon, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction
I wasn't making a reflection on the Speaker. It's not the Speaker who turns the microphone off; it's done by Broadcasting.
Government members interjecting—
No, but Broadcasting—
Milton Dick Speaker
Order, members on my right! Let's give the manager a fair go.
Dan Tehan Wannon, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction
As you know, Mr Speaker, from years of experience on this side, they shouldn't turn the microphone off until the Speaker has said, 'Resume'—
A government member interjecting
Then they shouldn't turn it off. He'd given me the call.
Milton Dick Speaker
The member for Chisholm is now warned. Manager, you've made your point. The microphone is now on. You've made that point; it's on the record. You've asked to table a document; leave hasn't been granted. We'll now move on to the next question.
Dan Tehan Wannon, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction
But I didn't get the chance to say what document it is. The document is the notes from Save the Children for their meeting with the Minister for Home Affairs—
Dan Tehan Wannon, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction
and that's an important aspect—
Milton Dick Speaker
Resume your seat. For an abundance of clarity, it is up to the Speaker's discretion. It is not Broadcasting's call; it is my call as to when the call is assigned. But we have now dealt with it. The manager has been given a fair go. We will now move on. I just hope everyone understands the process now. It has been a good learning experience for everyone.