14th Feb 2022, 3:15 PM – Representatives Motions - Prime Minister - Don't let a vote happen

The majority voted in favour of disagreeing with a motion to suspend the usual procedural rules - known as standing orders - in order to allow another vote to take place. The motion was introduced by Opposition Leader and Grayndler MP Anthony Albanese (Labor). This means that that second vote will not occur.

Motion text

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

(1) notes:

(a) the Prime Minister was warned by many organisations last year of the need for rapid antigen tests, including the Australian Medical Association, the Transport Workers' Union and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry;

(b) it's reported today the Prime Minister received multiple briefings from the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet on rapid antigen testing in 2020 and 2021;

(c) despite multiple warnings, the Prime Minister failed to order enough rapid antigen tests when it mattered and instead blamed the states;

(d) the Prime Minister has failed to make rapid antigen tests free and accessible for all Australians through Medicare;

(e) the crisis in aged care has led to the Australian Defence Force being brought in to perform basic tasks; and

(f) the latest failure on rapid antigen tests comes after the Prime Minister's failure to order enough vaccines; and

(2) therefore condemns the Prime Minister for repeatedly failing to do his job and instead blaming others for his failures.