Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Hansard source

I move:

That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended for a period of five minutes to allow the Leader of the Opposition to apologise for and retract his reckless and irresponsible attack on the Secretary to the Treasury in Question Time yesterday at a time of global financial crisis.

(Quorum formed) Yesterday in question time the Leader of the Opposition overreached when he raised in a question of the Prime Minister the dismissal of the Secretary to the Treasury for misleading the cabinet. Given the global financial crisis, this overreach was indeed reckless and dangerous. This followed an interjection by the Manager of Opposition Business that Dr Henry was ‘just one voice’.

Dr Henry is a respected public servant who has served governments of both sides of this House with integrity and with honour. This is an institutional matter, not a political matter. At a time of global financial crisis, it is imperative that political leaders express their confidence in our economic institutions. Dr Henry is to appear this morning before the Senate estimates committee; he is appearing right now. It is important that there be no ambiguity as to whether he retains the confidence of all members of this House.

It does not need to be long. It should have been thought through by the Leader of the Opposition overnight. It should be concise. It should be clear. It should be straightforward. At a time of global financial crisis, it is imperative that there be complete confidence from this House in the Secretary of the Treasury. I commend the motion to the House.

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