26th Feb 2020, 5:00 PM – Representatives Motions - Aged Care, Morrison Government - Let a vote happen

The majority voted against a motion introduced by Watson MP Tony Burke (Labor), which means it failed. The motion was to suspend the usual procedural rules - known as standing orders - to allow a vote to happen.

Motion text

That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent the Manager of Opposition Business from moving the following motion immediately—That the House:

(1) notes:

(a) the Government is privatising the Aged Care Assessment Teams, the only part of the aged care system that is working well, before the Aged Care Royal Commission has even finished its work;

(b) the Minister representing the Minister for Aged Care won't even own up to these plans;

(c) this Government routinely prevents debate on issues of vital importance to this nation, including today's message from the Senate;

(d) the extent to which this Government is silencing debate in the House of Representatives is without precedent in the history of Federation; and

(e) this Government has not granted leave for a single urgent Opposition motion in this term of Parliament, has routinely shut down suspension of standing order motions, and even passed legislation where not a single person spoke other than the Minister; and

(2) therefore, asserts:

(a) this should be a chamber where elected representatives come together to debate; and

(b) this Government's practice of constantly silencing voices other than its own has no place in democracy.