Senate debates

Tuesday, 19 June 2012

Questions to the President

Parliamentary Language

3:02 pm

Photo of Eric AbetzEric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | | Hansard source

Mr President, I do not expect a ruling now, but there was an overuse of the term 'idiot' during question time applied to members of the House of Representatives, and I would invite you to have a look at the Hansard to see whether that was parliamentary and whether or not it needs to be withdrawn.

Photo of Stephen ConroyStephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | | Hansard source

It has taken nearly 30 minutes for those opposite to rise to defend Mr Hockey!

3:03 pm

Photo of John HoggJohn Hogg (President) Share this | | Hansard source

Order! Senator Abetz, I will review the Hansard and if there is a need I will come back to the chamber.

Photo of Eric AbetzEric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | | Hansard source

Mr President, I thank you for that. Given Senator Conroy's immature intervention just then, it is quite obvious that that is what Senator Conroy did. As a result, it could all be truncated by Senator Conroy having the decency to get up now and withdraw.

Photo of John HoggJohn Hogg (President) Share this | | Hansard source

I have said I will look at the Hansard.