Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

On behalf of the government, we acknowledge it is an unusual step for a statement to be issued by both a President and a Deputy President. I think that's actually a very positive move, to put forward the positions of all sides of the chamber on this matter.

We were very concerned by some of the behaviour that we saw in the chamber yesterday and over the last couple of days. I'll be the first to admit that my behaviour is not always great in this chamber, but I think most of us would agree that some of the things that were said in this chamber over the last couple of days went well beyond what is acceptable conduct in this chamber. We believe that you attempted to find a reasonable solution to the situation which confronted you yesterday and that you were left with no choice but to withdraw the call from Senator Hanson because of her refusal to withdraw.

I have been asked to withdraw things that I've said on a number of occasions. Usually, when you do, you feel you're in the right to say what you said, but the practice of this chamber is to withdraw remarks when you're requested by the President, and that's what should have occurred yesterday as well. I think Senator Birmingham's suggestion about some consideration by the Procedure Committee is a good way forward, but we absolutely support the statement that you and the Deputy President have made today.