Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Hansard source

I wish to raise a matter of privilege. In doing so, I refer to page 753 of Practice that deals with improper interference with the free performance of a member and, on the following page, intimidation of members, on page 754 of Practice. I also refer to a story which has appeared online in the last few minutes by Simon Benson and Daniel Meers claiming that at a meeting the Leader of the House has ordered that all eight exits of the parliament be manned by a staffer to stop any coalition MP leaving the House before the adjournment of business of the day. It further states that the Leader of the House is believed to have told a meeting of around 100 Liberal staffers this morning that staff needed to ensure that their member be prevented from leaving early. I ask, Mr Speaker, that you consider the matter and report back as to whether there is a contempt of the House and whether the matter of privilege should be granted precedence.

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