John Murphy (Lowe, Australian Labor Party, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I wish to ask you a question about a report and an associated cartoon entitled ‘Farmer Bill has a sharp advantage’ which appeared on page 40, in the Rear Window segment, of today’s Australian Financial Review. Inter alia, Rear Window reports:

We spotted Farmer Bill around the corridors of power in Canberra yesterday, sporting a knife neatly tucked inside a leather pouch.

The senator from Junee, who does his fair share of backroom haggling, told us it’s always handy to have a knife at your disposal.

We couldn’t argue with this, but wondered how he got it past security?

Not a problem it seems. Never stuck for words—

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member will come to his question.

John Murphy (Lowe, Australian Labor Party, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It went on:

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member will come to his question. He does not have to read the whole article.

John Murphy (Lowe, Australian Labor Party, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The article said:

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member will come to his question or resume his seat.

John Murphy (Lowe, Australian Labor Party, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It went on:

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Does the member have a question?

John Murphy (Lowe, Australian Labor Party, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes, I do. I in no way wish to reflect on Senator Heffernan but I am sure we would all be concerned if a person were, in bad faith, able to bring a knife into Parliament House undetected by security. I ask you: would you make inquiries into this matter and report back to the House at your earliest convenience?

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Lowe and I will follow up his request and report back as appropriate.