Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Hansard source

on indulgence—The words of that may have been provided to officers; I'm not sure if they have been. The standard practice when leave is sought in these situations is that leave is not granted. Certainly there are aspects of the motion that go directly to appropriations and decisions that are not ordinarily dealt with in this way. There has been discussion about there being a suspension, but, now that I've heard the motion, I am worried that this could be the first time that we end up—at the end of this, if a suspension is then moved—going to a division about family and domestic violence. I'm genuinely worried about that.

I have full respect for the motivations of the member in bringing this forward. I wonder, having now heard the motion, whether it might be possible, on the issue of whether a suspension is moved, for there to be some discussion outside the chamber. It's up to the member. She has got the right to move a suspension if she insists. But, if it is possible to get to a point where everything that comes out of this House sends a unanimous view on family and domestic violence, I would like us to find that way. It's how traditionally we've been able to deal with these issues. I respect that, in the speeches, different calls may happen, but I do not want, if it can be avoided, for us to have the first time where a message is sent to the community that is in effect a mixed message about something that, at first-principles level, every single member of this parliament agrees on.

The question that I was asked was 'Is leave granted?' To answer that question: leave is not granted. But I would offer to the member for Warringah: if the member for Warringah chooses to not go immediately to moving a suspension, then I can give a guarantee that, if we aren't able to reach agreement on words, there will be no procedural blockage to making sure that there is an opportunity later today. We won't procedurally block it in any way. But I am worried about the implications and how the community will see it if, for the first time, we end up in a divisive vote in the House which will carry an implication to some people that I don't think reflects the House. As I say, the member for Warringah has a full right, as a member of parliament, but, if that is a possible course of action, it would certainly be appreciated by many members.

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