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Wednesday, 21 March 2012
Page: 2383

Senator ABETZ (Tasmania—Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) (09:41): Thank you. To save Senator Brown from further embarrassment, I move:

That the question be now put.

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: The question is that the motion moved by Senator Abetz, that the motion be now put, be agreed to.

A division having been called and the bells being rung—

Senator Bob Brown: Deputy President, I raise a point of order. Senator Brandis just made comments about a corrupt political party—'You are leading a corrupt political party'—to me in the chamber. That is prosecuting a quarrel. It is not allowed. It is unparliamentary. I ask you to have him withdraw it or for the President to look at that matter.

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Senator Brown, the matter is noted. The matter will be referred to the President. If there is need for the President to report back to the chamber he will do so if he wishes to.

Senator Ian Macdonald: Mr Deputy President, I raise a point of order. The issue that Senator Brown is talking about is funded in a certain degree by a Mr Graeme Wood, who is one of the co-authors of a document that Senator Brown is talking about.

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: There is no point of order, Senator Macdonald. Could I just advise senators that points of order during a division should relate to the division or matters pertaining to the division. If there are points of order relating to the division or pertaining to the division they can be raised legitimately.