Ms ROSOL question to PREMIER, Mr ROCKLIFF
Yesterday during Greens private members’ time, the Leader of Government Business, Mr Abetz, responded shockingly to an interjection from the Leader of the Greens, telling Dr Woodruff she was ‘at her best when she keeps her mouth shut’. Minister Abetz then minimised this sexist comment by suggesting it was all a joke and continued making derogatory remarks. This follows previous calls from government benches telling Dr Woodruff to ‘put a sock in it’.
Did you speak to Mr Abetz about his inappropriate behaviour and attitude towards women? As the leader of the Liberal Party and someone who has committed to changing the culture of parliament, will you condemn this sexist, belittling behaviour from a senior member of your Cabinet? What actions will you take to ensure all members of your Cabinet consistently respect women in parliament?
The SPEAKER – Before I call the Premier, when members take offence, it is appropriate for them to individually raise that at the time and have the remark withdrawn. If they feel they have been misrepresented, that is another process as well. I believe at the time from watching outside that the member did take offence at the time. The member had the right to make the point at the time. I believe it was withdrawn. If there is a general question about attitudes to women in the parliament, then I can ask the Premier to address that aspect and only that aspect, but I believe it was withdrawn. If there is a general question about attitudes to women in the parliament, I can ask the Premier to address that aspect and only that aspect.
Mr ABETZ – Point of order, Speaker. The accusation that my comment, which was withdrawn, was in any way, shape or form sexist is offensive and I ask that it be withdrawn.
The SPEAKER – The member has the right to say that he has been personally offended and I ask the member to respond to that by withdrawing the comment. We will then go to the substantive question around the broader culture.
Ms ROSOL – I withdraw the comment.
The SPEAKER – Premier, I ask you to address just the question about standards in the parliament. It is the only appropriate thing the Premier can address at this point. I am happy to speak with members afterwards about the concerns they have and we can raise that at Standing Orders.
ANSWER
Honourable Speaker, I thank the member for her question. The member withdrew the remark. My expectation is that we respect each other in this place irrespective of gender. Although there is a number of new Greens members of parliament, when it comes to hurling abuse, the Greens are very good at it –
Dr WOODRUFF – I take offence at that comment. We do not –
The SPEAKER – Members on my right will not laugh when a member raises an issue that they have taken offence to. No one laughed at Mr Abetz when he did.
Dr WOODRUFF – The Greens do not hurl personal abuse at members in parliament –
The SPEAKER – Sorry, I am going to ask you to start again
Dr WOODRUFF – I take offence at the imputation that the Greens hurl personal abuse at people in parliament, which is what this is about.
The SPEAKER – You cannot take personal offence to a collective concern. That is a debating point. If the Premier had said you individually, I would have asked him to withdraw.
Dr WOODRUFF – I will clarify more on this matter in the adjournment tonight.
The SPEAKER – I appreciate the right of members, if they feel, to raise that in the adjournment tonight. Before allowing the Premier to continue, we have had a reasonably good standard of debate and behaviour in this Chamber, notwithstanding some people being warned – looking at you there. The sort of concerns being raised now are serious. They go to the culture in parliament. We have not long come out of the Motion for Respect report and there is a sessional committee currently trying to resolve how we make this place a more conducive and safer environment to work in.
There are debating points and there is a certain theatre to parliament which we are capable of allowing. However, if we are going to degenerate into personal attacks, I will simply leave the Chair and parliament will resume some months later when I choose to come back.
Premier, I ask you to address the issue about culture in the parliament. I look forward to the contribution the member will make on the adjournment. I ask all members to be aware that we all have an obligation to set a standard, not just for ourselves but for those who are watching.
Mr ROCKLIFF – Honourable Speaker, we should be respectful to all people in this place irrespective of gender. I highlight the fact that not only did the minister withdraw his comment, but I am aware, having been in here for some time, that there has been considerable vitriol coming our way from the Greens, accusing people of dishonesty and all sorts of things, which can be hurtful. Whatever comment people make in this place, or outside the place, I do not like the terminology accusing the JLN of being like headless chooks either. I do not think that is respectful –
Mr Willie – You made a fake website about it in the election.
Mr ROCKLIFF – Mr Winter can be held accountable to his statement today.
The culture in the parliament has improved significantly, and it needs to continue. When people are offended and people withdraw, that is how it should be. I expect all of us to have respect for each other in this place, to argue the issues at hand vigorously while keeping the personal attacks at bay.
