Paul Calvert (President) Share this | Link to 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.

Amanda Vanstone (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I withdraw, Mr President.

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I raise a point of order on that ruling. I was asked to withdraw calling an individual a hypocrite yesterday, and Senator Ian Campbell just called Labor a group of hypocrites.

Paul Calvert (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Take your seat, Senator Conroy. We do not need to have a debate on this. I have made my ruling, I have asked the minister to withdraw and she has withdrawn.

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, my point of order was about Senator Ian Campbell’s comments just a moment ago, when he called Labor a pack of hypocrites. I was asked to withdraw the word ‘hypocrite’ yesterday.

Paul Calvert (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am sorry, Senator Conroy. I did not hear that. If Senator Ian Campbell referred to Labor as hypocrites, I ask him to withdraw it, under that standing order.

Ian Campbell (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for the Environment and Heritage) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I totally withdraw it.