Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

by leave—Mr President, I wish to draw to your attention a matter which occurred in question time.

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

You can't just stand up and have a chat.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Macdonald, Senator Wong will be heard in silence.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I appreciate that and I thank the Senate. In answer to a question asked by Senator Bilyk, opposition senators heard the Attorney suggest that she was about to commit a crime.

Government senators interjecting—

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That is exactly what he said.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order, Senator Conroy!

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I would ask you, Mr President, to consider if that is an infringement on Senator Bilyk's privilege as a senator and whether it is consistent with the Senate standing orders. It is not a threat that belongs in the Senate.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Wong. Senator Brandis?

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Do I need leave?

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You can seek leave, Senator Brandis.

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

by leave—That statement is false.

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a small statement.

Government senators: A small statement?

A short statement.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That statement was false. He clearly attempted to intimidate the senator asking the question with the threat of criminal sanctions and started quoting the Royal Commission Act.

Senator Brandis interjecting—

That is exactly what you did, Senator Brandis. You are a bully and you should apologise and withdraw.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! Senator Conroy, you will have to withdraw that remark about Senator Brandis.

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I withdraw.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you. In relation to the issue raised by Senator Wong, I will consider the Hansard and the visual footage of the chamber.

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Too much of a coward to put it on the record.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! Senator Conroy, if you want these matters dealt with properly, just listen to my ruling. In relation to that matter and also the matter in relation to Senator Heffernan, I will withdraw all the footage from question time and also what Hansard may have detected and I will then report back to the Senate if I deem it necessary.

Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I would invite you to ask Senator Conroy to yet again withdraw the comment that he passed across the chamber to Senator Brandis.

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I withdraw.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Conroy.