22nd Mar 2021, 3:22 PM – Representatives Motions - Prime Minister; Attempted Censure - Don't let a vote happen

The majority voted in favour of disagreeing with a motion introduced by Grayndler MP and Leader of the Opposition Anthony Albanese (Labor), which means the motion failed. The motion was to suspend the usual procedural rules - known as standing orders - in order to let a vote happen.

Motion text

That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the Leader of the Opposition moving the following motion forthwith—

That the House:

(1) notes that:

(a) the Prime Minister told the House last Thursday about the Gaetjens inquiry, "those inquiries are being made by the Secretary of my department" and "this work is being done by the Secretary of my department" but the Secretary of this department has given evidence to the Senate today that he told the Prime Minister on 9 March that he was putting his inquiry on hold;

(b) the Prime Minister has repeatedly refused to answer whether he has asked his staff if they sought to undermine Brittany Higgins' loved ones; and

(c) the Prime Minister told the House last Tuesday he was briefed by the Commissioner of the Federal Police on the contents of the dossier which contains allegations of serious sexual assault against the Attorney-General but the Commissioner of the Federal Police has told the Senate today he did not brief the Prime Minister on the details of the allegations; and

(2) therefore, condemns the Prime Minister for failing to give straight answers to simple questions about his Government's response to the reported sexual assault of Brittany Higgins and his handling of serious sexual assault allegations against the Attorney-General.