Page 1486 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 14 May 2014

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MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER: Mr Corbell, I hesitate to interrupt you, but earlier today Madam Speaker asked Dr Bourke to refer to people by their title—including the Prime Minister. Could you adhere to that.

MR CORBELL: I think the Prime Minister’s name is Tony Abbott, Madam Assistant Speaker.

MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER: By his title, as per the current standard.

MR CORBELL: Well, Prime Minister Tony Abbott Liberals—

Dr Bourke: Point of order.

MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER: Do you have a point of order, Dr Bourke?

Dr Bourke: Yes, I do. Having been the subject of the ruling by the Speaker, can I say that it was in regard to a title which was not “Prime Minister” which I placed before Mr Abbott’s name.

MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER: I apologise; my error. Nevertheless, it is our usual practice to refer to people by their correct title.

MR CORBELL: I do not think there is any problem with me referring to the Prime Minister as Tony Abbott, Madam Assistant Speaker. That is his name and that is why it is relevant for me to assert that that is how he should be identified. His name is Tony Abbott. He leads the Liberal Party.

MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER: I did not disagree.

MR CORBELL: They are Tony Abbott Liberals, Madam Assistant Speaker.

MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER: I am speaking; thank you, Mr Corbell. I asked you to refer to him by his title. I did not disagree that that was his name. I do agree with you on that point, but could you please refer to people by their titles.

MR CORBELL: Madam Assistant Speaker, which standing order requires me to refer to Mr Tony Abbott as the Prime Minister?

MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER: I think what I said, Mr Corbell, was that it is our usual accepted standard here in the chamber.

MR CORBELL: I am just asking you for your guidance, Madam Assistant Speaker.

MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER: And I am giving it to you.

MR CORBELL: Which standing order requires—


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