BUSINESS
Mr BURKE (Watson—Minister for the Arts, Minister for Home Affairs, Minister for Cyber Security, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship and Leader of the House) (15:28): I move: That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent: (1) a minister moving a motion granting members a leave of absence; (2) a minister moving a motion appointing a participating member to the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters; (3) discussion on the matter of public importance then commencing immediately and continuing until 4.30 pm; and (4) any variation to this arrangement being made only by motion moved by a Minister.
Question agreed to, with an absolute majority. The SPEAKER: The Leader of the Nationals, on a point of order? Mr Chester: It's to do with the question of unparliamentary language.
Earlier today, the shadow Treasurer assisted the House by withdrawing, and I invite the Prime Minister to withdraw his unparliamentary language. The SPEAKER: The Prime Minister is not in the chamber. The Manager of Opposition Business, on a point of order?
Mr Tehan: I know this is unusual, but, during the attempted suspension motion, with regards to Sir Robert Menzies, the member for Gellibrand said that Menzies was a coward. I would ask that the member for Gellibrand withdraw that for the good dignity of this place. I know that Sir Robert Menzies is dead, but it would help the House if that was withdrawn.
The SPEAKER: The member for McEwen, on a point of order? Mr Rob Mitchell: The Speaker has ruled, as the House of RepresentativesPractice clearly shows, that a person that is not a member of the House doesn't have the protections that we do in here, as has been shown under Speaker Bishop on multiple occasions. There's no need to have this.
The SPEAKER: For the dignity of the House and given the severity of this issue—and I can understand that there are strong views. I've made it clear during this fortnight I respect the dignity of the House and the institution. Therefore, I'm going to ask the member for Gellibrand to assist the House and withdraw that remark.
Mr Watts: I withdraw.