Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Hansard source

I seek leave to move:

That the House censures the Attorney-General:

(1)for launching an unprecedented attack on the Australian Human Rights Commission designed to undermine its independence;

(2)for treating an independent statutory office holder with contempt; and

(3)for directing the Secretary of the Department of Attorney-General to offer an inducement to the President of the Australian Human Rights Commission in return for her resignation.

Leave not granted.

I move:

That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the Leader of the Opposition from moving the following motion forthwith:

That the House censures the Attorney-General:

(1)for launching an unprecedented attack on the Australian Human Rights Commission designed to undermine its independence;

(2)for treating an independent statutory office holder with contempt; and

(3)for directing the Secretary of the Department of Attorney-General to offer an inducement to the President of the Australian Human Rights Commission in return for her resignation.

Prime Minister of Australia, lying is not insider nonsense. It is proof that the Attorney-General and his government have failed the test of leadership. Yesterday you plumbed a new depth in using the power of the executive branch—

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