House debates

Thursday, 2 July 2026

Motions

Minister for Defence Industry; Attempted Censure

3:13 pm

Photo of Dan TehanDan Tehan (Wannon, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction) | | Hansard source

I move:

That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the member from Wannon from moving the following censure motion immediately:

This House censures the Minister for Defence Industry and Minister for Pacific Island Affairs for comments made today at the National Press Club

Photo of Milton DickMilton Dick (Speaker) | | Hansard source

Just pause. The Leader of the House.

Photo of Mr Tony BurkeMr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House) | | Hansard source

I move—

Do I have the call?

Honourable members interjecting

Photo of Milton DickMilton Dick (Speaker) | | Hansard source

Order! The manager will resume his seat. The House is not going to do anything until it comes to order. The manager was on his feet. The Leader of the House is entitled to make a point of order when he requires, as has happened before. So we're just going to ask everyone—I know this is an important issue for the manager, but we've got to follow the norms of the House as well. And the decorum of the House is important. I know everyone thinks that. I'm just going to invite the manager, and I want the House to deal with this in a sensitive and appropriate way under the rules. The manager is seeking to suspend the House. He has moved—

Order. Unfortunately, as has happened before many times—this is probably disappointing for the manager, but this is allowed under the House. This is what occurs. This is not new. This happens on a regular basis. This has happened since I've been in parliament. The Leader of the House.

Photo of Mr Tony BurkeMr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House) | | Hansard source

Did he now move the motion if that's what he's doing?

Opposition members interjecting

He read it out and moved it. He hasn't given his speech. I'm allowed to ask the question.

Photo of Milton DickMilton Dick (Speaker) | | Hansard source

Yes, we'll just deal with that. The leader is seeking, 'Has the motion been moved?' and that—

Opposition members interjecting

Alright. We're just going to get the manager to move the motion. He gets that entitlement under the rules. But there was a lot of noise, so, for him to successfully do that, I require the House to listen to what the manager is saying.

Photo of Dan TehanDan Tehan (Wannon, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction) | | Hansard source

Thanks, Speaker. I move:

That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the member for Wannon from moving the following motion immediately:

That this House censures the minister for Defence Industry and Minister for Pacific Island Affairs for comments made today at the National Press Club wherein the minister called former Prime Minister Sir Robert Gordon Menzies a Nazi appeaser.

This is an utter, utter disgrace.

Photo of Milton DickMilton Dick (Speaker) | | Hansard source

Resume your seat. The manager has now, under the provisions of the House, moved his motion. I now call the Leader of the House.

3:17 pm

Photo of Mr Tony BurkeMr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House) | | Hansard source

I move:

That the member be no longer heard.

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting

Photo of Milton DickMilton Dick (Speaker) | | Hansard source

Order! The motion before the House now, as moved by the Leader of the House, is that the member no longer be heard. I put that question. The question is the member for Wannon be no longer heard.