Jackie Kelly (Lindsay, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question concerns respect for public property and the parliament. At the time of the 1996 budget you will remember that the union movement, particularly the CFMEU, doorknocked Parliament House. You will recall that they doorknocked so hard that it came clean off its hinges. There was hundreds of thousands of dollars of damage caused while they trespassed and rampaged through the house. Was the CFMEU billed for this damage and, if not, why not? In light of the fact that the union movement is so cashed up at the moment, will the Speaker now pursue payment?

Honourable Members:

Honourable members interjecting—

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

Order! The member will be heard. I did not hear the last part of the question. I say to the member for Lindsay that she is talking about something that happened many years ago. I am sure that the occupier of the chair at the time would have dealt with it as he saw appropriate.

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

Mr Speaker, is it not a legitimate question that the member for Lindsay raises? It is in the preserve of the Presiding Officers to ascertain this fact. I think it is perfectly reasonable for the member for Lindsay to ask it, and I respectfully ask—reiterating her question—that this matter be investigated and reported upon.

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

I will look carefully at the full text of the question by the member for Lindsay. I did not hear the last part, but I will have a close look at it and give it further consideration.

Jackie Kelly (Lindsay, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I can repeat the last part of the question for you if it would help. I asked whether the unions have been required or requested to pay a bill for damages to the House and whether that bill has been paid. If it has not been paid, given their current cashed up circumstances will you pursue it now?

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

As I have just said, I will look carefully at the full text of the question and give it further consideration.