Paul Calvert (President) Share this | Hansard source

Earlier in question in time today Senator Vanstone referred to the Australian Labor Party as the ‘now nearly racist Labor Party’. A point of order was taken by Senator Evans. I did not rule on the point of order, but on reflection I realise that former presidents have made rulings on that issue. I quote:

... offensive words against a group of members of either House may be regarded as a worse offence than directing such words to an individual member.

Under those circumstances, on reflection, I ask the minister to withdraw that comment.