Labor accuses Speaker Bishop of bias

Labor has moved its third motion of dissent from a ruling by Speaker Bronwyn Bishop with senior opposition members questioning her impartiality.

Bronwyn Bishop in parliament

Bronwyn Bishop (AAP)

Labor has again questioned Bronwyn Bishop's impartiality as Speaker of the House of Representatives, accusing her of childish interjections into debate.

During a confused series of procedural votes as the House was due to adjourn on Tuesday evening, manager of opposition business Tony Burke repeatedly clashed with Ms Bishop.

At one point she referred to Labor frontbencher Anthony Albanese as "the former leader of the house, who is now apparently the acting manager of opposition business".

When Mr Burke jumped up to protest, Ms Bishop tried to proceed with business.

She then said: "If the manager of opposition business is raising a point of order to resume his status then it is acknowledged."

Mr Burke asked her to withdraw the remarks, but Ms Bishop refused.

Mr Burke then moved a motion of dissent against her.

"I will entertain your dissent motion," she said.

Mr Burke said it was okay for ministers to make a "half-funny childish interjection" but the role of Speaker was a higher position.

"The comments that you made with respect to me would be interjections that were reasonable when you were merely in this house as Member for Mackellar," he said.

The government used its numbers to shut down the debate, gagging both Mr Burke and Mr Albanese and protecting Ms Bishop.

This is the third motion of dissent Labor has moved against Ms Bishop's rulings in the 12 days she has presided over parliament.

The first motion came 26 minutes after parliament began its first full sitting day, when Ms Bishop ruled it was acceptable to call Opposition Leader Bill Shorten "Electricity Bill".


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Source: AAP


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