Paul Scarr (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I try to be a better person every day, Senator McGrath—I really do. But on occasions you do step over the mark, and then you withdraw to provide comity in the chamber. You do the right thing. But to respond to serious questions in relation to the NDIS with such discourtesy and such sneering contempt is just outrageous. I say to the leadership of the government opposite: it's profoundly disappointing. I think there is cause for deep, deep reflection because, if this happens again and we hear the same tone—the sneering, contemptuous discourtesy—with respect to legitimate questions which are being put forward in a courteous fashion, we will call it out every day of the week and shine a bright light on it. It's absolutely unacceptable. It's unacceptable to this chamber, and it should be unacceptable to every senator sitting in this chamber.