3   QUESTIONS

Questions without notice being asked—

Member directed to leave

At 3 p.m. the Member for Sturt (Mr Pyne) was directed, under standing order 94, to leave the Chamber for one hour for continuing to interject after a warning had been given from the Chair, and he accordingly left the Chamber.

Questions without notice continuing—

Member directed to leave

At 3.12 p.m. the Member for Tangney (Dr Jensen) was directed, under standing order 94, to leave the Chamber for one hour for continuing to interject after a warning had been given from the Chair, and he accordingly left the Chamber.

Questions without notice continuing—

Suspension of standing and sessional orders moved

Mr Abbott (Leader of the Opposition) moved—That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the Member for Warringah moving immediately—That this House calls on the Prime Minister to explain why she continues to pursue a people swap policy with Malaysia when it is now abundantly clear that Nauru provides an immediate solution to deal with illegal arrivals that is cost effective, humane and proven. In particular:

(1)    why would the Prime Minister send illegal arrivals to Malaysia:

(a)    which hasn’t signed the UN Convention Against Torture, rather than Nauru which has;

(b)   which won’t sign the UN Declaration on Refugees, when the Nauru Government announced yesterday that they will;

(c)    where they would be detained and tagged, rather than Nauru where they would have the run of the island under an open processing centre regime;

(d)   when she can’t guarantee the standard and accessibility of medical care, when I have personally seen the hospital in Nauru and I can make this guarantee; and

(e)    when she can’t guarantee the access to school for the children, when I have personally seen the schools in Nauru and I can make this guarantee; and

(2)    above all, why should the Australian taxpayer be forced to pay over $300 million for a new processing facility in Malaysia when they have already funded one in Nauru that could be rapidly re-opened for a fraction of the cost and has been proven to work.

Debate ensued.

The time allowed by standing order 1 for debate on the motion having expired—

Question—put.

*100

The House divided (the Speaker, Mr Jenkins, in the Chair)—

AYES, 71

NOES, 74

* Tellers

Pairs

Ms Ellis                          Mr Neville

And so it was negatived.

Questions without notice concluded.