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

Mr Speaker, I seek indulgence to make a statement about the concerning situation in North Korea.

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

If the Leader of the Opposition could just resume his seat. I am not prepared to grant indulgence on this matter. I will hear from the Manager of Opposition Business briefly on a point of order and then I will perhaps explain why.

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

Mr Speaker, I respect that indulgence is your call as Speaker. Indulgence on these issues is usually granted on the basis that there are some issues that should be used to unite the parliament. If this issue is not granted indulgence, it will mean this House has had a statement of indulgence on Yarra Council but not on North Korea. I simply ask that indulgence be granted.

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

I thank the Manager of Opposition Business. For the benefit of all members, I will explain why I won't grant indulgence on this occasion. Indulgence can be granted to members for personal reasons, but, when it comes to these sorts of matters, the practice is very, very clear that the indulgence is granted following a similar statement by the Prime Minister.

Government members interjecting—

Perhaps members on my right could cease interjecting; I haven't finished yet. In fact, page 500 of the Practice makes this very clear when it says, when the Prime Minister makes a statement by indulgence on an issue, the Leader of the Opposition is commonly also granted indulgence to speak. Members will know that's been the practice in this House. I think that, if we depart from it, it will mean that there will be endless speeches on subjects. So, really, when it comes to these sorts of serious matters, the Leader of the Opposition will always be granted indulgence following any statement by the Prime Minister.