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Voice to Parliament

Published on: May 2023

Record: HANSARD-1323879322-130934

Voice to Parliament

Ms FELICITY WILSON (North Shore) (11:35:17):

My question is directed to the Minister for Small Business, Minister for Lands and Property, Minister for Multiculturalism, and Minister for Sport. Why did he vote no on the voices against the motion of the Labor member for Wyong in the public interest debate yesterday?

Interruption

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The SPEAKER:

The Clerk will stop the clock. The member for Mount Druitt will come to order. All members will come to order. I appreciate that this was an unusual circumstance. I believe the question is valid, and the Minister needs to have the respect of the House to answer it. This is a serious matter.

Mr STEPHEN KAMPER (RockdaleMinister for Small Business, Minister for Lands and Property, Minister for Multiculturalism, and Minister for Sport) (11:36:27):

— I thank the member for North Shore for her question. I note that she was part of the no-show brigade last night. Last night we gave the Liberal and National parties a chance to support the Voice. The Premier of Tasmania took a courageous stand on the Voice. The member for Epping took a courageous stand on the Voice—the member should be acknowledged for that. The member for Cronulla is not fit to carry water for the member for Epping. Last night, when this Chamber called on the Liberals and The Nationals on the Voice, where did they go? They disappeared. They fled like cowards. They ran.

Mr Alister Henskens:

Mr Speaker—

The SPEAKER:

The Manager of Opposition Business will not come to the lectern until I call him. I call the Manager of Opposition Business.

Mr Alister Henskens:

Point of order: My point of order is taken under Standing Order 129. The question is clear. It asked why the Minister voted no. He has spent all his answer talking about everyone other than himself. The question is about why he said no.

The SPEAKER:

The member for Canterbury will come to order. The Manager of Opposition Business will resume his seat.

Mr Ron Hoenig:

To the point of order—

The SPEAKER:

Order! I will hear from the Leader of the House on the point of order.

Mr Ron Hoenig:

The answer the Minister was giving to the question is clearly directly relevant to the question asked. This is not the first time the Manager of Opposition Business has taken a completely baseless point of order to interrupt the Minister. The Manager of Opposition Business has an additional responsibility as a role model to other members of the House who might seek to interject. He should not interrupt needlessly. I ask that you deal with him.

Mr Alex Greenwich:

To the point of order: To ensure that we no longer further politicise the Voice after what was an important debate—

The SPEAKER:

The Clerk will stop the clock.

Mr Alex Greenwich:

I ask that the question be ruled out of order because it does not relate to the Minister's portfolios.

The SPEAKER:

We are a long way down the road. There is no point of order. I will ask the Minister whether he has more to contribute but he is certainly sailing close to the wind. I grant an extension of two minutes. The Minister has the call.

Mr STEPHEN KAMPER:

I end with this: Last night we gave those opposite the opportunity to express themselves and to show their conviction. I sacrificed myself to give them an opportunity and they failed to do it. Shame on them.