Gavin Marshall (Victoria, Deputy-President) Share this | Hansard source

Again on a point of order: he is now reflecting on senators and making imputations. I think the problem comes back to standing order 187, which says, 'A senator shall not read a speech.' Senator Roberts seems to be unable to adjust his written and prepared speech to accommodate your rulings and continues just to plough through. I think that is the problem. Maybe if you were to apply standing order 187 that would resolve the problem.

There are two issues there. First, I do believe that you made an imputation, so I would ask you to withdraw 'hypocritical Labor senators'. Second, it is accepted practice in here that people can use copious notes, but there is a standing order which says you are not to read notes. Senator Roberts, for your remaining three minutes and 28 seconds, I would ask you not to make any further imputations and to withdraw the imputation you made.