Christine Milne (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

that in fact a number of people around the country were waiting for the vote. That was extremely childish behaviour which does not reflect well on this place. I think it is about time—

Opposition senators interjecting—

And we are still hearing the same kind of rabble behaviour and interjections. What we need in this place is respect for the standing orders and respect for the—

Senator Abetz interjecting—

As we now are hearing again, Mr Deputy President, we need respect for the standing orders. That people are deliberately setting out to frustrate others does not reflect well on this place.

As my colleague said, this is not the first instance. There are several examples from press conferences and other events here where a conservative senator has thought it amusing to disrupt other people's events. If that is something that he spends his time doing, and he is entitled to, and the people of New South Wales think that is an appropriate way for their elected representative to behave, it is up to them to express that when they get to the ballot box. But I do think it is appropriate that we expose some of the double standards of the conservatives.

Don't bother telling people, Mr Deputy President, that the conservatives respect the rules, because they do not respect the rules. They go out of their way to frustrate the rules, to absolutely abuse the standing orders and to behave in the most appalling manner. They put that on display for the whole of Australia yesterday in the broadcast that went out from the Senate. This motion is asking that the conservatives reflect on the behaviour that they exhibited in here yesterday, and I think that would be appropriate. I am disappointed that the government does not think it is appropriate that the conservatives reflect on the appalling behaviour they exhibited to the nation.