Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

The point of order is in respect of what Senator Evans has raised. Mr President, you said:

... 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.

In that instance, Senator Vanstone said ‘now nearly racist Labor Party’. They were the words she used in the broad. Mr President, you asked for a correction and you ruled:

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

On that basis, Senator Minchin should withdraw the comments that he made.