Senate debates

Tuesday, 18 March 2008

Parliamentary Language

12:30 pm

Photo of Alan FergusonAlan Ferguson (President) Share this | | Hansard source

Last evening during debate on the Workplace Relations Amendment (Transition to Forward with Fairness) Bill 2008, Acting Deputy President Bishop undertook to check the transcript of remarks made by Senator Abetz after a point of order was raised by Senator Wong. On looking at the transcript, it appears that Senator Abetz did make an imputation against government senators that they had been involved in the violent action in which the doors of Parliament House were broken down. That kind of imputation is prohibited by standing order 193 and I ask Senator Abetz to withdraw.

Photo of Eric AbetzEric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | | Hansard source

I withdraw, but I do note that Mr Beazley and the Labor Party did address the rally prior to the rally attending Parliament House.