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

Madam Speaker, you would remember that yesterday in question time the Manager of Opposition Business asked you a number of questions about so-called 'fundraisers' in the Speaker's dining room. Following those questions and your answers, I have a question to you. In light of the fact that Mr Brian Toohey in the Financial Review on Wednesday, 9 August 2000, wrote:

The former Labor speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Leo McLeay, acknowledged that he held a fundraising lunch with about eight business executives on one occasion in Parliament House.

He said Mr Keating may have dropped in at the beginning or end of the lunch, which was held in the Speaker’s official dining room. His recollection is that Mr Keating was treasurer at the time or had moved to the backbench before becoming PM.

My question to you, Madam Speaker, is, in light of this revelation, that in fact former Speaker McLeay held fundraisers in his Speaker's dining room and given the extraordinary motion moved by the Manager of Opposition Business yesterday, would it be in order for the Manager of Opposition Business to now rise to the dispatch box and apologise to the Speaker for reflecting on her yesterday?

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

In a word, I think it would be suitable if the member for Watson did so rise and apologise.

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

Madam Speaker, I note that former Speaker McLeay subsequently resigned.

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

I think that had more to do with $60,000 for a bicycle accident.