Download Fragment

Thursday, 29 November 2012
Page: 13883

Mr RUDDOCK (Berowra) (09:37): The motion is certainly seconded by me. I believe that it is of fundamental importance to ensure at this time that all steps are taken to minimise the potential loss of life at sea for people travelling unlawfully to Australia. This motion is about implementing the measures that we know work and that the government continues to ignore.

Honourable members interjecting—

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Berowra will resume his seat. The individuals over there should have some respect for an individual who is on his feet. The Leader of the House.

Mr Albanese: I rise on a point of order, Madam Speaker. The Father of the House should know that this is a motion to suspend standing orders. He has to put the case for why a bill that was notified on the front page of the Australian was going to be introduced on Monday by the opposition. It is now Thursday and it cannot possibly be urgent. He should address his remarks to the motion that is before the chair.

The SPEAKER: The Leader of the House will resume his seat. The member for Berowra has the call.

Mr RUDDOCK: I hope the member for Grayndler will listen very carefully. I believe the standing orders should be suspended to enable precedence to be given to the motion that will address this urgent and very pressing issue. When you have had something of the order of 30,000 people arrive unlawfully, when the steps that the government has taken have not been able to deal with it, this matter is pressing.

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Berowra will resume his seat. The Minister for Defence has the call.