STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT
27 November 2018
The PRESIDENT (16:11): I’m going to make an observation before I call another senator. I had hoped I would never use that standing order. I can’t remember when it was last used. I think it was when John Howard was Prime Minister. That was actually before my time in parliament—more than 15 years ago. I made a statement when parliament resumed here in August about behaviour in this chamber, about the language, about the example we set and about how this chamber needs to operate. I ask every senator to reflect not just on what they think they’re saying but on how it may be received or interpreted by another with a different life experience or perspective than yourself. That applies to a statement that may seem innocuous. It applies to a pejorative label that someone else may take deep offence to. There are very few people in politics who have a halo and who can’t reflect on something they might have said that could have been expressed better. But if we cannot debate and act civilly in this chamber—which is the most representative chamber in this country and is the prime legislative chamber of this parliament—then how can we expect people outside the chamber to debate and argue and disagree respectfully?
Other people may like to make comments. On this particular event, Senator O’Sullivan, the comment was inappropriate. I asked you to withdraw. I then asked you to unconditionally withdraw, and I believe you did. It is regrettable that I had to ask the Senate to enforce a ruling with respect to the privilege of the chair. I hope I don’t have to do that again.
[ENDS]