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

I seek leave to move the following motion:

That the House:

(1) notes that:

(a) when asked on 60 Minutes if he had asked James Ashby to procure copies of Peter Slipper's diary for him, the now Special Minister of State admitted - and I quote, "Yes, I did";

(b) the Special Minister of State is referred to in an Australian Federal Police search warrant in relation to two separate criminal offences under the Criminal Code Act 1995 and the Crimes Act 1914;

(c) the Minister's actions in relation to the Ashby affair render him completely unfit to have ministerial responsibility for Government integrity as the Special Minister of State;

(d) the Special Minister of State was appointed by the Prime Minister as a member of the Ministry as reward for being a key henchman in the overthrow of the former Prime Minister; and

(e) the Prime Minister was fully aware of the extent of the Special Minister of State's involvement in the Ashby Affair prior to giving him responsibility for Government integrity; and

(2) censures the Prime Minister for his:

(a) complete lack of judgement in appointing the Member for Fisher as the Special Minister of State when he was fully aware of the extent of the Minister's involvement in the Ashby affair; and

(b) failure to show leadership and dismiss or even stand aside the Special Minister of State from his ministerial responsibilities.

Leave not granted.

I move:

That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the Member for Isaacs from moving the following motion forthwith—That the House:

(1) notes that:

(a) when asked on 60 Minutes if he had asked James Ashby to procure copies of Peter Slipper's diary for him, the now Special Minister of State admitted - and I quote, "Yes, I did";

(b) the Special Minister of State is referred to in an Australian Federal Police search warrant in relation to two separate criminal offences under the Criminal Code Act 1995 and the Crimes Act 1914;

(c) the Minister's actions in relation to the Ashby affair render him completely unfit to have ministerial responsibility for Government integrity as the Special Minister of State;

(d) the Special Minister of State was appointed by the Prime Minister as a member of the Ministry as reward for being a key henchman in the overthrow of the former Prime Minister; and

(e) the Prime Minister was fully aware of the extent of the Special Minister of State's involvement in the Ashby Affair prior to giving him responsibility for Government integrity; and

(2) censures the Prime Minister for his:

(a) complete lack of judgement in appointing the Member for Fisher as the Special Minister of State when he was fully aware of the extent of the Minister's involvement in the Ashby affair; and

(b) failure to show leadership and dismiss or even stand aside the Special Minister of State from his ministerial responsibilities.

The government refuses to admit that the member for Fisher's position has—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Isaacs will resume his seat.

Christopher Pyne (Sturt, Liberal Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the member be no longer heard.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that the member for Isaacs be no longer heard.

Is the motion seconded?

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

Do they really think that they can cover this up? He confessed on television—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Watson will resume his seat. The Leader of the House has the call.

Christopher Pyne (Sturt, Liberal Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, he needs to second the motion, rather than just nod at you. A nod is not sufficient.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Leader of the House will resume his seat. Does the member for Watson second the motion?

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

I second the motion.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Watson will resume his seat.

Christopher Pyne (Sturt, Liberal Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the member for Watson be no longer heard.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that the member for Watson no longer be heard.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question now is that the motion be agreed to.

Christopher Pyne (Sturt, Liberal Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the question be now put.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question now is that the motion moved by the honourable member for Isaacs be agreed to.

Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

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