Julia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Manager of Opposition Business in the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, in accordance with page 485 of House of Representatives Practice, I seek your indulgence to make a comment or raise a matter concerning the conduct of proceedings. It is specifically referred to as a matter on which indulgence can be sought.

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

The Manager of Opposition Business.

Julia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Manager of Opposition Business in the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker, for your indulgence. Could I ask you to review page 485 and page 552 of House of Representatives Practice, which deal with the question of ministers and prime ministers adding to answers. Can I suggest to you, Mr Speaker, that the conduct of the Prime Minister today was an abuse of your good grace in granting indulgence—

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

The member is not to reflect on the chair!

Julia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Manager of Opposition Business in the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It is a reflection on the Prime Minister, Mr Speaker. I am on indulgence.

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker—

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

Order! The Leader of the House will resume his seat. The Manager of Opposition Business would be aware that I have ruled on the Prime Minister’s opportunity to add to his answer, and I ruled that he was in order.

Julia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Manager of Opposition Business in the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I understand that you ruled that he was in order, and I know that that indulgence is at your discretion and an exercise of your good grace. On that basis, I am suggesting to you, Mr Speaker, that the Prime Minister did go further today than is normally the case in adding to an answer. I think that would be an undesirable practice should it become common in this place, and I certainly think it is inappropriate that a member of the opposition was excluded for an hour and then one was named on the basis of raising this to your attention.

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

The member is now reflecting on the chair. I will consider her request.