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

It is with a fair degree of emotion that I move:

That leave of absence for 25 and 26 October 2017 be given to Ms Burney, for personal reasons

Members across the chamber will be aware of the circumstances that have hit Linda overnight. In her statement that she has put out, Linda Burney has asked for privacy and has said that she will speak when she is able to. I think we all need to respect that it's for Linda to make those statements when she is ready.

I would simply say—and I don't think it's presumptuous of me to speak on behalf of the whole House—that Linda is a much loved and deeply respected member of this place and that, for all of us, all of our thoughts are with her and her family—and, for those of us who pray, all of our prayers are with her—at a time that could not be more difficult.

I thank the House and wish all our thoughts and love to Linda Burney.

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

On behalf of the government, I'd like to congratulate the Manager of Opposition Business for making that statement and getting through it as well as he did and, also on behalf of the government, our deepest condolences go to Linda Burney and her wider family for the most unimaginable tragedy that could occur to anyone with children and close ones.

Of course we'll do everything in our power on our side of the House to make this time as reasonable as possible for Linda and for the members of the Labor Party, who must be feeling very deeply and keenly the tragedy that's befallen one of their members.

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

The Manager of Opposition Business and the Leader of the House have eloquently spoken on behalf of the whole House.

Question agreed to.