Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

Mr Acting Deputy President, I raise a point of order in relation to standing order 193, 'Rules of debate', at item (3), which says:

A senator shall not use offensive words …

Fair enough; she is not being offensive, but it goes on to speak against 'all imputations of improper motives and all personal reflections'. Accusing a senator of 'feigning' something is the same as saying that a senator is lying. You cannot construe it in any other way. In relation to what was a very serious, sober and thoughtful contribution by Senator Sinodinos, saying that Senator Sinodinos was feigning something is a reflection on him.