Ian Macdonald (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Mr President, on a point of order: how is it that a senator can be abused and attacked personally and not given the right to defend himself and explain his position? Whether it's Senator O'Sullivan or anyone else, it seems inappropriate and not in accordance with the rules. Perhaps he should seek a personal explanation, but that requires leave, and on the basis of what the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate has just done, that would also be denied. It seems inappropriate in Australia that you can be accused by name and not given the right to defend yourself.