Julie Collins (Franklin, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Agriculture) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent the Member for Franklin from moving the following motion immediately—That this House:

(1) notes:

(a) the Member for Bowman has reneged on his commitment to resign from all parliamentary positions, remains as Chair of the Standing Committee on Employment, Education and Training, and the Prime Minister is happy to keep him there;

(b) Government MPs including the Prime Minister and Government members of that very committee have now voted fifteen times to keep the Member for Bowman in his position, which gives him extra salary; and

(c) the Prime Minister's failure to remove the Member for Bowman is unconscionable; and

(2) therefore, calls on the Prime Minister and every Member of the Standing Committee on Employment, Education and Training to attend the Chamber and be given five minutes each to make a statement as to whether the Member for Bowman is a fit and proper person to keep his job.

The protection racket for the member for Bowman needs to end and it needs to end now. The fact that all of you sit over there—

Alan Tudge (Aston, Liberal Party, Minister for Education and Youth) 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 Franklin be no further heard.

(In division) Order! The Manager of Opposition Business, on a point of order?

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

You've ruled a number of times now about the need for us to be sitting in our designated seats.

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

Yes.

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

I'd simply ask that the Prime Minister do the same.

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

That is taking things a little too far, because the seat that the Prime Minister sits in and the seat that the Leader of the Opposition sits in have other occupants throughout the day. Just five minutes ago, the member for Franklin was right there. So, when it comes to the leaders, I am going to leave that.

Is the motion seconded?

Julie Owens (Parramatta, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

A do-nothing government writ large—no responsibility, no action—

Alan Tudge (Aston, Liberal Party, Minister for Education and Youth) 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 motion moved by the member for Franklin be disagreed to.