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

I was certainly responding to the comments from the member for Nicholls. That shouldn't have been allowed to let stand unresponded to by this side of the House. It's important that we indicate what the basis of the motion moved by the Manager of Opposition Business was. It was about democratic forums. This debate is about whether this parliament functions effectively and whether this parliament gets to vote on matters that are before the chair.

One of my concerns, on an ongoing basis since the change of leadership in the Liberal Party in 2018, has been the failure to have proper debate and democratic outcomes in this chamber. The sort of shutting down of debate that we see consistently in this House doesn't bring credit to this House or to this chamber. That is why, consistent with that, even though we disagree with the motives, the strategy and the policy put forward by the member for Nicholls, we think he has a right to say it and put it forward. That is something that we defend. I, as Leader of the House, didn't shut down every debate that was before this parliament in the way that this parliament has functioned.

Yesterday, we put a question to the Leader of the House about the very principles that are at stake here. The old principle of 'I may disagree with you but I will fight for your right to say it' is an important principle for this parliament. That is something that those opposite seem to have forgotten. That was the basis of the Manager of Opposition Business moving this proposition. If the member for Nicholls wants to fight for the right for him not to have the right to speak, well, so be it—that's the modern National Party. That appears to be what the member for Nicholls is saying—so be it.

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