LABOR has tried to move a rare no confidence motion against Speaker Bronwyn Bishop capping off a fiery week in federal Parliament. 
 
Manager of Opposition Business Tony Burke took the action after the Speaker named Shadow Attorney General Mark Dreyfus for interjecting during Question Time.

Her decision prompted a vote, which was passed 82 to 54, to the cries of “shame” from Opposition MPs.

It means Mr Dreyfus has been barred from Parliament for 24 hours.

After criticising the Speaker’s performance throughout the sitting fortnight, Mr Burke took to his feet moving the motion, not used since 1949.

He said he was doing so because Ms Bishop favours government members.

“She regards herself merely as an instrument of the Liberal Party and not as a custodian of the rights and privileges of elected members of the parliament,” Mr Burke added.

He accused her of failing to correctly interpret the standing orders of the House of Representatives and of “gross” incompetence.

Leader of the House Christopher Pyne rejected the motion as merely a “stunt”.

He said if the vote passes it will be a display of confidence in the Speaker.

Talking up his performance in the 43rd Parliament, Mr Pyne argued he wasn’t a “sook” like Mr Burke.

The Minister described Labor’s motion as “utterly unprecedented”.

“The Speaker has been very tolerant and generous,” Mr Pyne claimed.

But Opposition frontbencher Anthony Albanese said she has taken “the low road of partisanship”.

“We all know that this is a position you coveted for years and years,” Mr Albanese said.

Moving the motion Mr Burke said: “I move — That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the Honourable Member for Watson from moving the following motion forthwith.

That the House has no further confidence in Madam Speaker on the grounds:

That in the discharge of her duties she has revealed serious partiality in favour of Government Members;

That she regards herself merely as the instrument of the Liberal Party and not as the custodian of the rights and privileges of elected Members of the Parliament;

That she constantly fails to interpret correctly the Standing Orders of the House; and

Of gross incompetency in her administration of Parliamentary procedure.

But Labor was unsuccessful in suspending standing orders to move its motion, with the vote defeated 51 to 83.

Government members cheered at the result.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/national/labor-moves-no-confidence-motion-...

The behaviour of Labor MP's in this new parliament has been nothing short of appalling. Bishop should wield her considerable power more frequently. Labor needs to get over the fact they no longer have one of their own in the Speaker's chair and not enough numbers to influence votes in the House of Rep's.

What she needs to do is chuck a good number out every time they get out of hand.
They are bent on nothing but frustration of the business of the House.
What can you expect of a parliamentary party composed mainly of union officials?

Yes it was all pretty disgusting and the ALP have no right to criticise after their last speaker 

greggerypeccary wrote on Mar 27^th, 2014 at 2:37pm:

I think he wants to bury the story about the basher having his worst week yet as PM that is even doing the rounds in News lmd papers.

skippy. wrote on Mar 27^th, 2014 at 2:43pm:


Rudd isn't PM anymore and hasn't been in the news for a while???

If you don't see the bias of Bishop then it's a safe bet that you're at least as biased as her.

Bring back Springer - love him or hate him - he was a great speaker.

Broomhilda is a terrible Speaker. Senile, forgets members titles, mixes titles up and is hugely biased to the Libs! You see it every day in QTs. She is a disgrace and an embarrassment even to herself.

She will face more motions of dissent/no confidence.

Frances wrote on Mar 27^th, 2014 at 3:05pm:


Totally Agree!

What about this dick Bogarde73's statement
Quote:


Obviously he cant recall what Tony Abbott was like in QT when in opposition.. Damn fool!