Mr BURKE (Watson—Manager of Opposition Business) (15:29): I move: That all the words after “That” be omitted with a view to substituting the following words: “That this House express its full support to the men and women of Australia’s Defence Force and that this House resolves that political debate should accept our armed forces dutifully follow the instructions of the Government of the day.” Mr Pyne: I rise on a point of order. Madam Speaker, as you would probably be aware, the motion moved by the member for Denison bears no resemblance whatsoever to the amendment being suggested by the Manager of Opposition Business—it is an entirely different matter. In which case the amendment is therefore out of order and cannot be accepted by the chair. If the Manager of Opposition Business wants to move a different motion at another time, we would be more than happy to consider it, but this is a motion about the actions of Senator Conroy; it is not a motion about the entire military defence forces. Mr BURKE: Madam Speaker, on a point of order—to the point of order that was raised. On many occasions amendments have been moved to resolutions once leave has been granted. In the scale of what is being considered— Opposition members: We cannot hear! Turn on the microphone! The SPEAKER: I am listening to the Manager of Opposition Business. He has the call. Mr BURKE: Thank you, Madam Speaker. There have been many occasions where amendments have been moved and accepted and much precedent for amendments which look at the issues contained within the resolution in a different way. It is in no way a direct negative; it deals directly with respect for our Armed Forces and is well within the precedents of this House. The SPEAKER: I am looking at the terms of the motion as it was moved and I am looking at the amendment and there is a requirement that the amendment be relevant to the substance of the motion. There is no relevance of the amendment to the substance of the motion and I rule the amendment out of order. The question is that the motion be put. All those in favour? To the contrary? I think the ayes have it. The ayes have it. I declare the motion carried. Question agreed to. An opposition member: What motion? An opposition member: You are going to gag debate! Mr Burke: Madam Speaker, when did I cease to have the call? The SPEAKER: When I made my ruling. Mr BURKE: But I was still on my feet. The SPEAKER: I am sorry, you were not properly on your feet—you should have been sitting down. Opposition members interjecting— Mr Burke: Madam Speaker, a point of order. The SPEAKER: I made my ruling. Mr Burke: A point of order. The SPEAKER: A point of order you may make. Mr Burke: Madam Speaker, could you please define what it means to be 'properly on your feet' in this House, because there is nothing in Practice, no precedent anywhere? You are on your own! The SPEAKER: The member will take his seat! Mr Dreyfus: This is the most partisan Speaker— The SPEAKER: The member for Isaacs will remove himself under 94(a). The member for Isaacs then left the chamber. The SPEAKER: The fact of the matter is this: you are on your feet when you are given the call. Earlier today we had an instance where I gave the call to the Leader of the Opposition; I expected him to answer a question; he did not do it. He spoke on indulgence without first seeking it, but I let it pass. But on this occasion I had made a ruling; I had put the motion; the motion is now carried; and we will move on to the rest of business. Mr Burke: Madam Speaker, on a point of order. The SPEAKER: I will acknowledge the Manager of Opposition Business. Mr Burke: If I can refresh you on why you made your ruling: I took one step back, remained on my feet seeking the call— The SPEAKER: You should not have; you should have sat down. Opposition members interjecting— Mr Burke: Madam Speaker, I move: That the Speaker's ruling be dissented from. The SPEAKER: It has passed, I am sorry. The moment has passed. Mr Burke: Madam Speaker, on a point of order— The SPEAKER: The member will resume his seat. Mr Burke: Is that your ruling? The SPEAKER: The member will resume his seat. Mr Burke: Is it your ruling that I should resume my seat? The SPEAKER: It is not a ruling; it is a statement. Mr Burke: Is that how you rule? The SPEAKER: I call the Manager of Opposition Business. Mr Burke: Madam Speaker, on a point of order. The SPEAKER: I will hear your point of order. What is it? Mr Burke: My point of order is that the debate should still be considered to be underway, given the error you made earlier. The SPEAKER: There is no point of order. This is getting a little tedious. I will make a statement that there was no ruling. I simply said there is no point of order and I call the Prime Minister.