The house has erupted from all sides of parliament, after Opposition Leader Peter Dutton asked Prime Minister Anthony Albanese about what he called his “close and sycophantic relationship with Jacinda Adern”, suggesting this will be the focus of the Coalition’s question time attacks.
Dutton asks: “Direction 99 was created as a result of the prime minister’s meeting with former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern in July of 2022. Why did this weak and incompetent prime minister put his closer and sycophantic relationship with Jacinda Arden ahead of the safety of Australians?”
Immediately members of the Labor party shout with outrage, as Speaker of the House Milton Dick attempts to quieten down the chamber.
Albanese begins his answer by accusing Dutton of having “anger [and] abuse” in one question.
The shouting and heckling begins again, and Dutton argues the prime minister was not being relevant. Speaker of the House Tony Burke responds to this, rising and saying Dutton’s question “is so full of abuses against standing order 90 and a reflection on members”.
“It is completely unreasonable for the leader of the opposition to be so precious that he cannot take any criticism in return,” Burke argues.
Albanese then continues his answer, referring to examples of criminals who were released when Dutton was in charge as home affairs minister.
“1300 hard-core criminals were released from immigration detention centres, 1300, not because of a decision of the High Court, not because of a decision of the High Court, but on his [Dutton’s] watch,” Albanese said.
Source Agencies
