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

Immediately after question time and during debate, both the Manager of Opposition Business and the Leader of the Opposition, and perhaps other members, suggested that I was responsible for the motion that was moved that the business of the day be called on and that it was unprecedented that a Leader of the Opposition have such a motion moved when proposing a matter of public importance. That is not true. The House Hansard reveals that on 26 June 1996 such a motion was moved against the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Beazley, by Mr Reith. On 24 March 1998 such a motion was moved by Mr Reith against Mr Beazley. On 1 April 1998 such a motion was moved by Mr Ruddock against Mr Beazley. On 9 June 1999 such a motion was moved by Mr McGauran against Mr Beazley. On 21 October 1999 such a motion was moved by Mr Reith against Mr Beazley. On 12 October 2000 such a motion was moved by Mr McGauran against Mr Beazley.

Most interestingly, on 21 June 2001 the member for North Sydney moved that the business of the day be called on after a matter of public importance was proposed by Mr Beazley. On 9 August 2001 a motion was moved by Mr Slipper against the Leader of the Opposition. On 22 August 2001, on 23 August 2001, 6 March 2003, on 30 March 2006 and on 20 September 2007 such motions were moved by those opposite against leaders of the opposition. Such motions were moved on no fewer than 13 occasions, and I look forward to receiving the $100 that the member for North Sydney proffered to us if that were the case.

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