John Howard (Bennelong, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

And yet the Labor Party sat there and they were perfectly happy to have that. I can remember the Leader of the Opposition jumping up when his predecessor but one—Mark Latham—used one of the most vulgar expressions I have ever heard used in this parliament about a female journalist, and we all know what I am referring to. I remember the deafening silence of the Leader of the Opposition. I remember the deafening silence of all the female members of the Australian Labor Party—not one of them got up to condemn that foul insinuation about Janet Albrechtsen.

I also remember the deafening silence of the Leader of the Opposition when Mark Latham referred to Tony Staley’s physical disability, occasioned by a motor car accident that almost claimed his life. Tony’s life hung in the balance for 12 months, and to this day he is walking with the benefit only of crutches.

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