Andrew Wilkie (Denison, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

by leave—I move:

That the opposition defence spokesperson be admonished for calling into question the integrity of Lieutenant General Angus Campbell.

I think everyone in this place would be well aware that I have not been slow to criticise this government and previous governments when it has come to the decisions they have made about the use of the Defence Force. I of course was especially outspoken about the decision during the Howard government to join in the invasion of Iraq, for what I thought were fraudulent reasons. I was very critical of the decision more recently to keep our troops in Afghanistan much longer than they should have been there, and my outspoken criticism of the current government's abhorrent response to asylum seekers I think is well known. When it comes to asylum seekers, I think we should be acting like a rich and civilised country and as a signatory to the refugee convention. We should be taking people in, giving them protection, hearing their claims and giving them refuge if their claims are found to be accurate. Those whose claims are found not to be accurate should be sent back from where they came.

But in all of these instances I have been very careful not to criticise the men and women of our security services and in particular of the Defence Force and of the intelligence services. I think a line was crossed yesterday when the opposition defence spokesperson called into question the integrity of General Campbell. General Campbell is a classmate of mine and someone I know a little, and I know that he is a good person and I know that he will do a good job following the orders he is given by the government of the day, as unpalatable as those orders are. I want to make this absolutely clear: I am in no way speaking in support of the government's abhorrent response to asylum seekers. I am criticising, though, the shadow defence spokesperson, who went too far yesterday by calling into question the character of one of Australia's most senior military officers. He has been given shocking orders to carry out, but I am sure that he is carrying them out to the best of his ability and he is doing it as honestly as he can. So I call on everyone in this place to support this motion: that the opposition defence spokesperson be admonished for calling into question the integrity of Lieutenant General Angus Campbell.

Ms Julie Bishop (Curtin, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I second the motion. I support the motion moved by the member for Denison because what occurred yesterday in the Senate estimates hearing was a reflection not only on the Senate but on this entire parliament. That a person who occupies the position of shadow minister for defence could use the opportunity to launch a personal attack against one of Australia's finest military commanders is nothing short of a disgrace. What we wanted to hear, from last night and this morning and throughout question time, was something from the Leader of the Opposition to show that he did not agree with the outrageous, appalling, despicable conduct of the man he appointed as shadow minister for defence. What we wanted from the Leader of the Opposition was for him to say that Labor distanced themselves from this disgraceful act of attacking a military commander who had been asked by the Australian government to return to the service of this country by heading up Operation Sovereign Borders.

The member for Denison can disagree with the policy, as he just has. The member for Denison can move motions in the House about it. We can debate it. What the member for Denison has done is the decent thing, by standing here and demanding that the opposition and other members of this House stand in condemnation of Senator Conroy.

Look at this cabal going on here! They are so disorganised that they cannot even find a line to run in question time!

Mark Dreyfus (Isaacs, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Attorney General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It hadn't come up!

Ms Julie Bishop (Curtin, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This happened last night in the Senate.

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

The member for Isaacs and the minister will both desist.

Ms Julie Bishop (Curtin, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Any political party that had any idea of what its members and senators were doing would have acted immediately. The Leader of the Opposition should have come out last night and condemned Senator Conroy for his disgraceful act. This morning the Leader of the Opposition should have been at the doors condemning Senator Conroy.

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

He's getting David Feeney's advice now.

Ms Julie Bishop (Curtin, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

So he is taking former Senator Feeney's advice. It is about time, Leader of the Opposition. Take some advice from somebody who actually has worked with our defence forces and understands what this is doing to the morale of the men and women who serve this country. They do not expect to turn up in Senate estimates and have abuse hurled at them by the factional bovver boy of the Leader of the Opposition. The Leader of the Opposition unleashed the bovver boy. It is time he put him back on the rein. It is time the Leader of the Opposition showed some courage, some decency, and demanded that Senator Conroy give an unqualified apology to an honourable man who has served this country for over 30 years.

This is a difficult task for any officer. This is a difficult task for any public servant. Lieutenant General Campbell was chosen because of his professionalism, his skill and his objectivity and he has risen to the task asked of him. He has to protect his Navy personnel because it is dangerous work in dangerous and risky circumstances. He has to withstand the glare of the media, who are focusing on Operation Sovereign Borders, but make no mistake: Operation Sovereign Borders was endorsed by the Australian people at the last election. So he is carrying out the tasks required of him by the government of the day. That is what our military personnel do, time in, time out. They do military work, they do humanitarian work, they carry out the policies, the requests and the directions of the government of the day. That is what they did when Labor were in government.

What has happened to the Labor Party, who said there was bipartisan support for our military? What has happened to the Leader of the Opposition, who said he did not want our Navy to be a political football? What has happened to the decency that should be within this party? Enough of them have been defence ministers. Enough of them have been assistant defence ministers. There are decent people within the Labor Party, but they are not the Leader of the Opposition. It is now 10 past three on the day after this appalling attack, since this despicable slur was directed at Lieutenant General Campbell, and we still have not heard from the Leader of the Opposition.

Does it really take a motion from one of the Independents for the Leader of the Opposition to get on his feet? Is that what it is going to take? He had opportunity after opportunity in question time. He could have stood up on indulgence and, Madam Speaker, we would have given the Leader of the Opposition an indulgence, had he asked you, so that he could have disassociated himself from the appalling conduct of Senator Conroy and joined with the government in condemning an attack on our military commanders.

Lieutenant General Campbell deserves far better than this. He deserves our respect. He deserves our admiration. The Australian public have given him that respect and that admiration through the awarding of the Order of Australia for the work he did in East Timor. They have recognised his distinguished service as he headed up all Australian troops in the Middle East. This is a man who deserves the greatest respect and admiration. And what did he get from the shadow minister for defence?

Mark Dreyfus (Isaacs, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Attorney General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It was directed at you!

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

The member for Isaacs!

Ms Julie Bishop (Curtin, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

An attack, a slur. Senator Conroy accused General Campbell of personally being involved in a political cover-up. It was a personal attack. It was unwarranted. It was indecent and deliberately designed to dishonour the reputation of an honourable man. The Labor members should hang their heads in shame for allowing the bovver boy from Victoria to get away with yet another attack.

Mr Mitchell interjecting—

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

The member for McEwen!

Ms Julie Bishop (Curtin, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Our Minister for Communications indicated that Senator Conroy was obviously on some unspeakable rant yesterday. Not only did he attack the reputation of one of Australia's leading businessmen under parliamentary privilege but also then he attacked one of our most distinguished, one of our finest military commanders, a man who has put his life on the line for this country. The Leader of the Opposition is madly writing notes now. Leader of the Opposition, it is too late. You should have demanded an unqualified apology this morning. You should have stood up in question time and distanced yourself from Senator Conroy and having unleashed this dog of war, it is time you put him back on the leash.

Ms Kate Ellis interjecting—

So the princess from Adelaide says, 'Grow up!'

Opposition members interjecting—

Tanya Plibersek (Sydney, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I would like the foreign minister to withdraw that sexist remark.

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

While we are on the question of sexist remarks, I would ask the member for McEwen to withdraw his calling the minister 'Madam Asbestos'. While we are in the business of tit for tat, we will have proper behaviour, thank you very much!

Rob Mitchell (McEwen, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am happy to comply with the changing rules and I withdraw.

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

Thank you.

Ms Chesters interjecting—

The member for Bendigo will desist.

Kelly O'Dwyer (Higgins, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I believe that Mr Mitchell has just reflected on you in the chair with that statement.

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

I think I can handle it.

Ms Julie Bishop (Curtin, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I withdraw. Madam Speaker, this is the test for the Leader of the Opposition. He must stand and support the motion moved by the member for Denison and show that there is some decency left in that disorganised rabble on the other side.

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

The opposition will not be supporting this motion.

Government Members:

Government members interjecting—

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

I was most interested in particular in the contribution of the foreign minister when she talked about deserving better. I will tell you what this nation deserves. It deserves better from this government than that which we are hearing. I agree with some of what has been said about the distinguished career of General Campbell.

Government members: Some!

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

We will have quiet on my right so we can hear the Leader of the Opposition.

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

I agree that he has had a distinguished and decorated career in his service in the Australian military. I recognise that he has been a squadron commander in the SAS—a remarkable achievement if he never did anything else. I recognise that he is a qualified paratrooper—a remarkable qualification. I recognise that under Labor he was in charge of our Middle Eastern forces and he did a great job there.

Government members interjecting—

I do not know why, when I speak well of General Campbell, the government interrupt. What I also recognise about General Campbell is that he should not be treated as some sort of political target. We fundamentally reject—

Government members interjecting—

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

Order! We will have some quiet on my right. The Leader of the Opposition is speaking.

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

What a disorderly rabble this government are. We recognise on this side of the House that General Campbell and indeed everyone who serves in our armed forces, be it in Australia or overseas, is deserved of respect from the political process. On any number of occasions, as we have been discussing in public the policy issues around Operation Sovereign Borders, I have clearly stated that I do not regard our military as deserved of being the whipping boys or girls when there are legitimate concerns with government policy.

Although it is very rare, I agree with part of what the Assistant Minister for Defence said. When he said that if the opposition have problems with what is happening with government policy, raise it about the government and do not attack the military. I have seen through my working life that when there are complex political issues, it is most easy for the blame-game to rain down from the top to the bottom. I do not support hiding behind the military when there are problems with government policy. I accept that those opposite think that their policy is great and I accept that we on this side believe that the addiction to secrecy is wrong. I do not accept as appropriate the use of the military by the government to hide their own lack of willingness to talk about what is really going on and to not be straight with the Australian people.

The flavour of the debate from the Minister for Foreign Affairs that somehow the opposition do not support our military is wrong. It is a grievous mistruth. That is why this morning, when I was asked questions about the debate in the estimates committee last night, I made it very clear that Senator Conroy had withdrawn his remarks. People said, 'What does that mean?' and 'What do you think?' The fact that Senator Conroy made the comments and then withdrew them, I believe, speaks for itself. There is a recognition in this debate, if anyone bothers to read the whole transcript, that Senator Conroy is most concerned about the way the government is handling issues of secrecy around Operation Sovereign Borders. We see the government feign patriotism and wrap the flag around themselves and say, 'We're true patriots and anyone who criticises the government is in fact criticising the military and that makes them unpatriotic or unAustralian.' We are not falling for that lie. They say that patriotism is the last refuge of scoundrels and we are seeing that truism yet again with this government.

I respect our military and, like many here, I have had family members serve in the military. I understand the ultimate sacrifice that 40 of ours have made in Afghanistan. I understand that 200—

Ms Julie Bishop interjecting—

Minister for Foreign Affairs! I am talking about the sacrifice of our soldiers. You could at least listen to that with respect. I understand—look at the government frown, as if they have a monopoly on patriotism. Forty people have died in Afghanistan. I know this and I know everyone on the other side knows this too, actually. I know that all of us in this House respect the 260 people who have come back with injuries and I know all of us in this House respect that there are many more people who will no doubt be dealing with the consequences and the psychological trauma of war for the rest of their lives.

What Labor will not allow in this debate is false, faux patriotism—that when the opposition pursue the government on its policies somehow it is a reflection of Labor's commitment to our armed forces.

A government member interjecting—

And, yes, I was quoted correctly on 23 January when we heard reports about the alleged events involving Navy personnel on the high seas. I set my line in the sand early as opposition leader. I do not have a default button which says that when there are problems blame the military because I do not think that. I resent very much the cowardly insinuations of some of those false, flag-waving patriots who say that we on this side do not care as much about the military. That is why, at the start of my address to this House, I made it very clear what I think about General Campbell. That is why, before this afternoon, I have already made efforts to be in contact with him to indicate on behalf of Labor our ongoing respect and support for him because, you know what, I think that is the right thing to do.

When we see the sanctimonious, finger-wagging, lecture-giving, sermonising, false patriotism from those opposite, when they seek to use the military as a stick to beat Labor about the head and when I hear the Minister for Foreign Affairs say that people deserve better, I say that General Campbell deserves better than being used as a political football to pursue your grubby culture of secrecy. Our military deserve better than you hiding behind uniforms. The minister ought to do his day job and tell us what is going on.

The military deserve better than what the government did on the Saturday morning after what they said on Tuesday—implying blame on Reza Berati, that he was outside the wire and somehow had to take his own chances, and if he had stayed inside the wire he would have been safe. Then on the Saturday morning, we find out, or at least the government find out, that maybe what they said definitively was wrong. Then they waited until past the six o'clock news on Saturday to come out with the facts of the matter. When we want to give a lecture about morality, you do not live in a glass house, members of the government.

What I also know is that in 2007, when Chief of Army General Gillespie was at estimates, it was Senator Ronaldson who called him a coward. I am sure given his time again that Senator Ronaldson might have chosen his words differently. But what we never do in this place is seek to use debate in estimates to somehow make a lie of the Labor Party's support for the men and women in our military. You know what? You can fight the next election and you can try your best to attack us with your policies, but do not ever try—

Mr Joyce interjecting—

Mr Barnaby, say nothing and leave us wondering if you know what you are talking about. What I really object to is that we in this parliament and the Australians who put us here deserve a bit better than the kindergarten, flag-waving, faux patriotism which you guys want to wrap yourselves around. Every Australian Labor Party member loves this country as much as you do. Every Australian Labor Party member of parliament supports our military. Every Australian Labor Party member will never give up holding you to account.

The fact is that you choose to try and hide behind this sort of military patriotism when, in fact, there is no daylight between yourselves and ourselves. You should be better than that. Stick to your day jobs of trying to run your ministries and stop trying to smear and politicise the Australian military. We are on to your trick, and the Australian people are too.

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

Before I call the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, I am allowing a wide-ranging debate on this motion. For the purposes of the next speaker I restate the motion so we know what we are debating. The motion as moved by the member for Denison and seconded by the Minister for Foreign Affairs is:

That the opposition defence spokesperson be admonished for calling into question the integrity of Lieutenant General Angus Campbell.

Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Minister for Immigration and Border Protection) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am pleased that you restated the motion, Madam Speaker, because the motion is, as you say, moved by the member for Denison, not a government member, and it is seconded by the Minister for Foreign Affairs. The motion is quite specific, and I believe the member for Denison has sought to be very specific in putting forward this motion so there is no confusion about any broader claim being made. I acknowledge that the member for Denison and I may have some differences on matters of policy which General Campbell is responsible for implementing, but the member for Denison has been specific in crafting this motion. The motion is that the opposition defence spokesperson, not the opposition as a whole, be admonished for something quite specific: calling into question the integrity of Lieutenant General Angus Campbell. That is the motion we are debating.

Let us go to the conduct of Senator Conroy yesterday that the member for Denison is referring to. In Senate estimates he said this, very specifically, in questioning General Campbell:

You—

specifically General Campbell—

are engaged in a political cover-up.

That is what Senator Conroy said yesterday, and it is an outrageous sledge against someone of General Campbell's standing. I am pleased that the Leader of the Opposition is at least prepared to acknowledge that some of what has been said about Lieutenant General Campbell is true. I acknowledge all of it as true, as I am sure every member of this House would want to do and I am certain that every member on this side of the House does.

It is a very specific motion. I am disappointed that the Leader of the Opposition has said that the opposition will not be supporting the motion. In so doing, he has confirmed and affirmed the behaviour of Senator Conroy in the Senate. The Leader of the Opposition in his response to this motion today has demonstrated how small a man he is when the challenge is put to him. The good-faith motion put forward by the member for Denison is to bring this House together and to ensure that the outrageous conduct of a member of the other place is brought under scrutiny. An opportunity has once again been given to the Leader of the Opposition to try and set this right. That is something the member for Chifley did last night, I acknowledge, but his leader is not prepared to do in this place today. That is a very small act from the Leader of the Opposition, who has proved in this place his smallness when dealing with a matter of such significance.

I remind the House that General Campbell was appointed to this role by the Chief of the Defence Force, General Hurley. General Campbell was appointed to this role to take command of the Joint Agency Task Force responsible for implementing Operation Sovereign Borders, which the foreign minister reminded the House was a policy detailed, articulated and advocated at the last election by those now on this side of the House and received the overwhelming mandate of the Australian people. Any good serving officer in the Navy, Army or Air Force—and I go beyond our defence forces and talk about the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service which is also involved in this initiative and the Australian Federal Police, the Department of Immigration and Border Protection, the Department of Foreign Affairs, our intelligence services and agencies—all these men and women are engaged in the implementation of this policy. General Campbell was selected because of his experience, because of his credibility, because of his integrity, because of his sincerity and because of his ability. I have had the privilege of observing these things on a daily basis. He is one of the finest, if not the finest, men I have ever met and certainly I have ever worked with.

The fact is he was subjected to that sledge by Senator Conroy last night. In a rare sign General Campbell went to the point of admitting offence. If a general of his standing says he has taken offence then Senator Conroy should not just have withdrawn. Everyone in this place knows that a withdrawal is not an apology. Senator Conroy should have apologised but he has not apologised. For that act, the member for Denison is right. The opposition defence spokesperson should be admonished by this House. He should have been admonished by the Leader of the Opposition. That should have happened last night; it should not have been dragged on.

Let us look at the comments from General Hurley this morning when he appeared before Senator Conroy, as unrepentant as anyone could possibly be. He said:

I was surprised by the accusations made against Lieutenant-General Angus Campbell. I was pleased these accusations were withdrawn but, unfortunately, once said, the shadow will linger.

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The shadow lingers.

Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Minister for Immigration and Border Protection) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The shadow lingers.

Lieutenant-General Campbell—

he says—

has a reputation in Canberra, and more widely in Australia and overseas, of integrity,—

Mr Snowdon interjecting—

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

The member for Lingiari will desist!

Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Minister for Immigration and Border Protection) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I note the interjections opposite. I will continue:

… intellect and studied impartiality. He is widely respected across Australia's political divide.

The shadow is lingering and this House, on the good motion of the member for Denison, has the opportunity right now to dispel that shadow, and the Leader of the Opposition is not up to the task. He is not up to the task and that is extremely disappointing.

Last night the member for Chifley talked about, 'I am not going to dance around it. What he said was wrong. It shouldn't have been said, not to a serving officer that way.' That is the transcript of what the member for Chifley said, but what we are seeing—

Mr Bowen interjecting—

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

The member for McMahon will desist!

Mr Brendan O'Connor interjecting—

The member for Gorton is warned!

Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Minister for Immigration and Border Protection) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I note the interjections opposite. What we are seeing from the Leader of the Opposition is a dance. He is dancing around it. He will not face up to the behaviour of his own shadow minister for defence. As the Assistant Minister for Defence said earlier, he opened his account as the shadow minister for defence with a sledge against one of our strongest and most able and most distinguished serving officers in our military.

Other matters have been raised in this debate by the Leader of the Opposition. I want to correct the record for their benefit, because they seem to not understand how Operation Sovereign Borders operates and how it works. It brings together 15 agencies which the commander of the Joint Agency Task Force operates on a daily basis. They have a single-minded task, and that is to stop the boats—and they are stopping the boats. Those policies are working. General Campbell's leadership is proving to be a key ingredient in that success. It only makes me wonder: why didn't the previous government ask someone like General Campbell to go and fix their mess? That is what this government did. This government put someone in who had the ability to take the policies of this government and implement them and get the results the Australian people were crying out for, because after almost 1,200 deaths it demanded the sort of action and the sort of leadership for the policies and their implementation that General Campbell is putting in place.

I note particularly that the opposition takes issue with the policy regarding information and the handling of sensitive information in relation to Operation Sovereign Borders. I said before the last election that we would leave that matter of how information on matters of operations was to be addressed in the public domain to the commander of the JATF, and that is exactly what we did. Every time those opposite have criticised the way information is being handled in terms of maritime operations they are actually criticising the measures put in place by the commander of the JATF, because that is the body and that is the commander who has advised me on those policies.

I am not surprised that the Leader of the Opposition has not risen to the member for Denison's challenge here today, because he wishes to continue the attacks and undermining of this government and its policies and now that attack has shamefully gone at the hands of Senator Conroy to attacking one of the most distinguished men ever to pull on a uniform for this country.

Mr Shorten interjecting—

The Leader of the Opposition asks me to sit down. I will not be sitting down, Leader of the Opposition; I will be standing up for General Campbell, and you should be ashamed of yourself.

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

I move:

That all the words after “That” be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:

“That this House express its full support to the men and women of Australia’s Defence Force and that this House resolves that political debate should accept our armed forces dutifully follow the instructions of the Government of the day.”

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

I rise on a point of order. Madam Speaker, as you would probably be aware, the motion moved by the member for Denison bears no resemblance whatsoever to the amendment being suggested by the Manager of Opposition Business—it is an entirely different matter. In which case the amendment is therefore out of order and cannot be accepted by the chair. If the Manager of Opposition Business wants to move a different motion at another time, we would be more than happy to consider it, but this is a motion about the actions of Senator Conroy; it is not a motion about the entire military defence forces.

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—to the point of order that was raised. On many occasions amendments have been moved to resolutions once leave has been granted. In the scale of what is being considered—

Opposition members: We cannot hear! Turn on the microphone!

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

I am listening to the Manager of Opposition Business. He has the call.

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. There have been many occasions where amendments have been moved and accepted and much precedent for amendments which look at the issues contained within the resolution in a different way. It is in no way a direct negative; it deals directly with respect for our Armed Forces and is well within the precedents of this House.

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

I am looking at the terms of the motion as it was moved and I am looking at the amendment and there is a requirement that the amendment be relevant to the substance of the motion. There is no relevance of the amendment to the substance of the motion and I rule the amendment out of order. The question is that the motion be put. All those in favour? To the contrary? I think the ayes have it. The ayes have it. I declare the motion carried.

Question agreed to.

An opposition member: What motion?

An opposition member: You are going to gag debate!

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

Madam Speaker, when did I cease to have the call?

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

When I made my ruling.

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

But I was still on my feet.

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

I am sorry, you were not properly on your feet—you should have been sitting down.

Opposition members interjecting—

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

Madam Speaker, a point of order.

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

I made my ruling.

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

A point of order.

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

A point of order you may make.

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

Madam Speaker, could you please define what it means to be 'properly on your feet' in this House, because there is nothing in Practice, no precedent anywhere? You are on your own!

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

The member will take his seat!

Mark Dreyfus (Isaacs, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Attorney General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This is the most partisan Speaker—

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

The member for Isaacs will remove himself under 94(a).

The member for Isaacs then left the chamber.

The fact of the matter is this: you are on your feet when you are given the call. Earlier today we had an instance where I gave the call to the Leader of the Opposition; I expected him to answer a question; he did not do it. He spoke on indulgence without first seeking it, but I let it pass. But on this occasion I had made a ruling; I had put the motion; the motion is now carried; and we will move on to the rest of business.

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.

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

I will acknowledge the Manager of Opposition Business.

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

If I can refresh you on why you made your ruling: I took one step back, remained on my feet seeking the call—

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

You should not have; you should have sat down.

Opposition members interjecting—

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

Madam Speaker, I move:

That the Speaker's ruling be dissented from.

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

It has passed, I am sorry. The moment has passed.

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—

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

The member will resume his seat.

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

Is that your ruling?

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

The member will resume his seat.

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

Is it your ruling that I should resume my seat?

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

It is not a ruling; it is a statement.

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

Is that how you rule?

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

I call the Manager of Opposition Business.

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.

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

I will hear your point of order. What is it?

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

My point of order is that the debate should still be considered to be underway, given the error you made earlier.

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

There is no point of order. This is getting a little tedious. I will make a statement that there was no ruling. I simply said there is no point of order and I call the Prime Minister.

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Madam Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper.

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

On a point of order: I ask that the debate be recommitted to the parliament.

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

That is not a point of order. If you wish to move that way, you had better do so.

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

If you are ruling that it is not a point of order, then make that ruling.

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

There is no point of order.

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

Madam Speaker, no Speaker in the history of this parliament has behaved in the way you are behaving now.

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

The Manager of Opposition Business is reflecting on the Chair and will remove himself under 94(a).