Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I refer the Prime Minister to his comment today that there will be no broken promises under this government. When will the Prime Minister stop lying?

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That question is quite out of order and I ask the Leader of the Opposition to withdraw the end of the question.

Government members interjecting—

Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Sorry, did you give me the call?

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I said to withdraw the end of the question. It was unparliamentary.

Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I withdraw, and I seek leave to move that this House censure the Prime Minister for breaking his promise to parents and children across Australia—

Christopher Pyne (Sturt, Liberal Party, Minister for Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Madam Speaker—

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Leader of the Opposition will resume his seat. I am calling the Leader of the House on a point of order.

Christopher Pyne (Sturt, Liberal Party, Minister for Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Madam Speaker, that was an outrageous abuse of the parliament and the standing orders, as you know. The member for Wannon was on his feet and I would ask you to direct him to ask his question. Otherwise the Leader of the Opposition has simply got away with disgraceful behaviour in the parliament.

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Madam Speaker, on the point of order: there are many occasions when someone stands on either a point of order, as the Leader of the House often does, or to withdraw, as on this occasion, and while they have the call they are welcome to seek leave to raise a further matter. That is what the Leader of the Opposition has quite properly done.

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Because of the outrageous statement made in the Leader of the Opposition's question I was not looking for anybody else to stand. I took the point of order from the Leader of the House, and in the kerfuffle I did not see the member for Wannon stand. There is adequate time left in question time and I am going to give the call to the member for Wannon.

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Madam Speaker, on a point of order: you gave the call to the Leader of the Opposition.

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I did, and then I asked him to resume his seat.

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

But he sought leave before you did that, and the tapes will show that.

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

And then I asked him to withdraw, and he asked me whether or not I was giving him the call.

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Madam Speaker, with respect, are you saying to the House that you asked the Leader of the Opposition to resume his seat before he said 'I seek leave'?

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes.

Opposition members interjecting—

I am happy to look at the tape. I have to say I was absolutely shocked at the language in the question. I might have expected it from one or two others but I did not expect it from the Leader of the Opposition.

Opposition members interjecting—

Christopher Pyne (Sturt, Liberal Party, Minister for Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Madam Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition just made a disgraceful slur against the Speaker. He is perfectly entitled to be unpleasant to the government, as he has been, but not to the chair. I would ask him to show that he is a gentleman and withdraw it.

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I will give the call to the Leader of the Opposition for his conscience.

Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am increasingly grateful, Madam Speaker, for your mentorship. I withdraw.

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I think we will listen to the tape subsequently, but for the moment we will hear from the member for Wannon.