Federal Government missing in action as Cardboard Kevin sees Luke Hartsuyker ejected from Parliament

February 22, 2008

The Nationals Federal Member for Cowper, Luke Hartsuyker, said today the Rudd Government had shown contempt for the residents of the Cowper electorate after the Federal Member was removed from the House of Representatives.

 

Mr Hartsuyker was ejected during a debate over the loss of 126 jobs at the Coffs Harbour Centrelink Call Centre.

 

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives removed him from the Chamber after Mr Hartsuyker claimed Kevin Rudd was a part-time Prime Minister because he didn’t show up for the Friday sitting of the Parliament.

 

When Federal Parliament resumed this year Mr Rudd changed the Standing Orders of the Parliament, requiring the Parliament to sit on Fridays whilst effectively excusing the Government from being in the Parliament on that day.

 

“The Parliament is being convened at a cost to the taxpayer of one million dollars per day without the requirement that the Prime Minister or other Ministers be in attendance and without a Question Time,” Mr Hartsuyker said.

 

“The people of Australia are being denied the opportunity to have the Government questioned on such important issues as climate change, health and education – as well as important local issues.”

 

At the same time that Mr Hartsuyker was highlighting the absence of the Prime Minister from the Parliament, a life-size cardboard cut-out of the Prime Minister appeared at the dispatch box where Mr Hartsuyker was speaking.

 

After holding the life-size cut-out, Mr Hartsuyker was ejected from the House and the sittings suspended.

 

Mr Hartsuyker said the Rudd Government had shown contempt for the residents of Cowper.

 

“Kevin Rudd is now a part-time Prime Minister who is happy for the Parliament to sit for five days but does not believe the Government needs to be present on Fridays. People deserve better than Cardboard Kevin.

< Prev		Next >