Pauline Hanson (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Hansard source

I seek leave to table documents of correspondence between the President and me relating to the referral of a senator's eligibility under section 44 of the Constitution for inquiry and report, as circulated among the whips on Monday night.

Leave not granted.

Pursuant to contingent notice, I move:

That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent me moving that the documents be tabled.

I have written to the President with regard to Senator Payman and her eligibility to stand in this parliament. I have received a letter back from the President with regard to this, and I believe that this documentation should be tabled in Hansard for everyone to see and know what this correspondence is about. Later today I am moving a motion for it to be put to a vote via the parliament that the matter be referred to a committee, as was the case for many senators in this place, regardless of their political party, in establishing their right, under section 44, to stand in this parliament.

What is happening now, as I see it, is a protection racket by the Greens to protect Senator Payman. That's not what this place is about. Why is someone being treated in a totally different way than every other senator in this place? These documents should be tabled so everyone can see what is stated in them, which I think is very important. The people of Australia should know what is going on here.

I don't know why the Greens are pulling this stunt again, as a protection racket for Senator Payman. I know that she votes with them pretty much most of the time, but it shouldn't be a mate's call here, looking after your mates. This is relevant to this parliament, under section 44 of the Constitution, so they are obstructing justice. This should be referred to a committee for investigation as to whether she is eligible to stand in this place. Why are the Greens doing this? Why are they denying this? There's no clear indication or reason for them to do it—just obstructing the game for the sake of doing it. That's why they are absolute loose cannons in this place with what they support and what they don't support. That's why I keep calling for this: the Greens must go. It's all about them and what they want and not what is right for the Australian people. So I will continue.

I tell you what, the way I'm treated with this—not putting the documents up, plus other stuff—two can actually stop and call out for no formal motions to be agreed to. Be prepared for it, and I will stand my ground on this issue. I don't believe it's right that anyone should be stopped. I will do this again and again and again, but be prepared because I will do it today. You'll see me a lot down here, because what one wants to do the other can do just as well. I'll be doing it, so be sure. Be prepared for it if you won't allow these documents to be supported and put in.

Anyway, it's coming to a vote this afternoon—it's no. 5 on the Notice Paper. I hope that it does go to the vote because I will be putting it to the vote. It should be referred to the Constitution, and referred to the Standing Committee of Senators' Interests for inquiry. That's what I'll be doing. It's not going to the High Court. We're not going to the High Court. I'm not doing that. It needs to be sent to an inquiry to be investigated properly and thoroughly, because the documentation is not good enough. It would not be good enough for anyone else here in this place, so why is the protection racket going on? I don't know. I will keep trying to expose this and call for accountability, and I hope I get the support from the other senators in this place as well.