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Monday, 20 June 2011
Page: 6461

Mr ABBOTT (Warringah—Leader of the Opposition) (16:58): It is absolutely necessary that standing orders be suspended because cattle are dying and farmers are losing their livelihoods—

Mr Fitzgibbon: Mr Deputy Speaker, on a point of order: I did try to seek the call before the Leader of the Opposition got to his feet, for good reason: I did not want to interrupt his contribution—

Opposition members interjecting—

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! I do thank the Chief Government Whip for raising that point of order. If I did not see him, I apologise. However, I have already given the call to the Leader of the Opposition, who has the call.

Mr ABBOTT: Thank you very much. This is—

Mr Fitzgibbon: Mr Deputy Speaker, on a further point of order: in response to the intervention from the member for Dawson, I hoped that before the opposition leader commenced his address you might invite the members of the opposition to remain quiet while we hear his feigned indignation.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: I do admire the, shall we say, original approach of the Chief Government Whip. He has now resumed his seat, which is a good thing because I have given the call to the Leader of the Opposition.

Mr Albanese: Mr Deputy Speaker, a point of order relating to standing order 62: I was concerned that the member for Paterson was blocking the view of the Leader of the Opposition. According to standing order 62 'Members moving in the chamber':

A Member in the Chamber must:

(a) take his or her seat promptly;

…   …   …

I ask you to enforce that, Mr Deputy Speaker.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: I do thank the Leader of the House for raising that point of order. I have given the call to the Leader of the Opposition. Let me say: if I hear any other points of order which are taken frivolously the members who take those points of order will have an hour in the sin bin.

Mr ABBOTT: There are currently 1,900 cattle at Port Hedland in Western Australia. Those cattle are owned by an Australian company and they are going to be exported to an Australian owned and operated abattoir in Indonesia. That abattoir—

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! The Leader of the Opposition will resume his seat. The time for this debate has expired. The question is that the motion for suspension of standing orders moved by the honourable member for Kennedy be agreed to. I put that question: all those in favour say aye, to the contrary no. I think the noes have it.

Opposition members: The ayes have it.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! A division is required. Ring the bells.

The bells being rung—

Opposition members: There was only one no!

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: I heard more than one no.

Question put:

That the motion (Mr Katter's) be agreed to.

The House divided. [17:06]

(The Speaker—Mr Harry Jenkins)

The requirements for an absolute majority not having been satisfied, the motion was not carried.