House debates

Thursday, 6 February 2020

Motions

Prime Minister

3:04 pm

Photo of Anthony AlbaneseAnthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | | Hansard source

I seek leave to move the following motion:

That the House:

(1) notes the Prime Minister:

  (a) is incapable of expressing regret and admitting when he is wrong;

  (b ) blames others and attempts to cover up his failings with false or misleading claims, including but in no way limited to the Prime Minister's:

     (i) claim the response to the national bushfire crisis was a matter for the states and territories;

     (ii) claim volunteer firefighters didn't need compensation because they wanted to be there;

     (iii) statement that he didn't hold a hose when Australians were looking to him for national leadership in an unprecedented bushfire crisis; and

     (iv) claim he had a conversation with a bushfire survivor who had lost everything when he instead forced her to shake his hand only to turn his back when she asked for help; and

  (c) can't learn from his mistakes if he never admits them; and

(2) therefore, calls on the Prime Minister to put the national interest ahead of his political interest.

Leave not granted.

I move:

That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent the Leader of the Opposition from moving the following motion immediately—That the House:

(1) notes the Prime Minister:

  (a) is incapable of expressing regret and admitting when he is wrong;

  (b )blames others and attempts to cover up his failings with false or misleading claims, including but in no way limited to the Prime Minister's:

     (i) claim the response to the national bushfire crisis was a matter for the states and territories;

     (ii) claim volunteer firefighters didn't need compensation because they wanted to be there;

     (iii) statement that he didn't hold a hose when Australians were looking to him for national leadership in an unprecedented bushfire crisis; and

     (iv) claim he had a conversation with a bushfire survivor who had lost everything when he instead forced her to shake his hand only to turn his back when she asked for help; and

  (c) can't learn from his mistakes if he never admits them; and

(2) therefore, calls on the Prime Minister to put the national interest ahead of his political interest.

The fact is that this government has just been—

Photo of Tony SmithTony Smith (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

The Leader of the Opposition will resume his seat. The Leader of the House has the call.

3:07 pm

Photo of Christian PorterChristian Porter (Pearce, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | | Hansard source

I move:

That the Member be no longer heard.

Photo of Tony SmithTony Smith (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

The question is that the Leader of the Opposition be no further heard.

3:13 pm

Photo of Tony SmithTony Smith (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

Is the motion seconded?

Photo of Mr Tony BurkeMr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for the Arts) Share this | | Hansard source

I second the motion. We saw the Prime Minister's character on full display: stubborn, all about marketing—

Photo of Christian PorterChristian Porter (Pearce, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | | Hansard source

I move:

That the Member be no longer heard.

Photo of Tony SmithTony Smith (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

The Leader of the House has moved that the Manager of Opposition Business be no further heard.

3:16 pm

Photo of Richard MarlesRichard Marles (Corio, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Defence) Share this | | Hansard source

Arrogance and cowardice are what characterise this man—

Photo of Christian PorterChristian Porter (Pearce, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | | Hansard source

I move:

That the question be now put.

Photo of Tony SmithTony Smith (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

The Leader of the House has moved that the question be put.

The question is that the motion moved by the Leader of the Opposition be agreed to.