Ms Julie Bishop (Curtin, Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Madam Deputy Speaker Burke, I have a question of you. It relates to entitlements and electorate offices. On Sydney radio today and online, on Twitter, it is claimed that there is a sign in a member's electorate office in Sydney that is offensive and abusive about the Leader of the Opposition. This is now on the airwaves. There are pictures of this sign that is said to be in the member for Sydney's Sydney office. I ask if you would make inquiries on this. I am offended by it. I assume that the Leader of the Opposition—

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

I certainly am.

Ms Julie Bishop (Curtin, Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

He has just confirmed that he is exceedingly offended by it. This is a sign that is said to be pinned up in the minister's office—in the member for Sydney's electorate office—and I would ask that you make inquiries on it.

Ms Anna Burke (Chisholm, Deputy-Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Deputy Leader of the Opposition has made her point. I will refer the matter to the Speaker.

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

If the Deputy Speaker is going to examine that, I would say that, also, she could examine, or the Speaker could examine, the footage of the demonstration outside my electorate office that included the member for Indi and a coffin, along with other offensive signs outside my electorate office.

Ms Anna Burke (Chisholm, Deputy-Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Leader of the House and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition will resume their seats.

Ms Julie Bishop (Curtin, Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Madam Deputy Speaker—

Ms Anna Burke (Chisholm, Deputy-Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Deputy Leader of the Opposition will resume her seat. These matters are not for the House; these matters, on issues of our parliamentary offices, are for the department of administration and finance. It is not an issue that can be referred to the Speaker, and I would ask—

Mr Randall interjecting—

Order, the member for Canning!

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

I ask that the member for Canning withdraw that remark.

Ms Anna Burke (Chisholm, Deputy-Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Canning will withdraw.

Don Randall (Canning, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Madam Deputy Speaker, I do not know what is required to be withdrawn. I just said—

Ms Anna Burke (Chisholm, Deputy-Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You just need to say you withdraw.

Don Randall (Canning, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Okay; I withdraw.

Ms Anna Burke (Chisholm, Deputy-Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Canning. This issue is not for the House. It is for another department. The House does not have coverage of our electorate offices. The House has coverage of parliamentary offices inside the building. It does not have coverage of our electorate offices. That would be for the department of administration and finance, and I would direct the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to refer it there.

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

Madam Deputy Speaker, the member for Canning is continuing to pursue interjections across the chamber about whether I could fit into the coffin that was outside my office. It is offensive. He has kept it going for a number of minutes and he should withdraw.

Ms Anna Burke (Chisholm, Deputy-Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Leader of the House will resume his seat. It has been a very long week. The member for Canning?

Don Randall (Canning, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I withdraw.

Ms Anna Burke (Chisholm, Deputy-Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Canning. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition?

Ms Julie Bishop (Curtin, Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Given that this sign is said to be inside the member for Sydney's electorate office, I ask whether it is a matter for the Speaker to refer it to the department of finance or can the Deputy Speaker refer it?

Ms Anna Burke (Chisholm, Deputy-Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Speaker has no authority over members' electorate offices.

Alby Schultz (Hume, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It has indeed been a very, very trying week. I rise to compliment you on the efficient way in which you returned vacant members' car park spaces in the members car park.

Ms Anna Burke (Chisholm, Deputy-Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am glad I have had one success this week.