Terri Butler (Griffith, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for the Environment and Water) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to move the following motion:

That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent the member for Griffith from moving the following motion immediately:

That the House:

notes that the member for Bowman is unfit to be a member of parliament and the government needs to act to show that it has listened to women; and

calls on the Prime Minister to discharge the member for Bowman from the Standing Committee on Employment, Education and Training immediately.

Obviously, the member for Bowman needs to resign from the committee position that he holds. He should stop drawing the extra salary, and the government should take 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 member for Griffith be no further heard.

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

Is the motion seconded?

Joanne Ryan (Lalor, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Bowman didn't defend himself last night and no-one in the government had seconded—

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

The member for Lalor will resume her seat. The motion lapses for want of—

Government members interjecting—

No, I'm sorry, you can't.

Government members interjecting—

Members on my right! You have to begin by seconding the motion. Otherwise, if you think you can second it at the end, you'd be able to move it at the end. So I make it very clear, the first words that need to be uttered are, 'The motion is seconded.' We will move on with business.