"It's not our fault he's short."

Gillard kicked out again

June 1, 2006 - 5:04PM

The Sydney Morning Herald

Labor frontbencher Julia Gillard has been ordered out of parliament for the second day in a row.

Ms Gillard was one of four opposition MPs turfed out of the House of Representatives for an hour in an acrimonious Question Time.

Speaker David Hawker will also review the videotape of proceedings to determine whether two Labor frontbenchers deliberately stood up to block camera shots of Prime Minister John Howard as he answered questions.

Ms Gillard was ejected for an hour for heckling as Health Minister Tony Abbott added to an answer about the government's plans to sell Medibank Private.

It came a day after she was thrown out for 24 hours for calling Mr Abbott a snivelling grub - and then apologising to grubs.

"The member for Lalor has been warned and continues to interject. The member for Lalor will remove herself under standing order 94a," Mr Hawker said.

Earlier, opposition industrial relations spokesman Stephen Smith, environment spokesman Anthony Albanese and backbencher Julia Irwin were kicked out for heckling Mr Howard - prompting Opposition Leader Kim Beazley to rise to his feet.

"I seek leave to make a personal explanation while there's still an opposition member left in this place," he said.

Mr Howard was heckled as he was answering a question about comments by Fair Pay Commission head Ian Harper that his commission might have to cut the minimum wage if the economy went into recession.

Mr Howard ignored Professor Harper's comments, choosing instead to read out a series of 13-year-old quotes from Mr Beazley.

During the answer, Mr Albanese and Mr Smith each stood with their backs to Mr Howard and began talking to members of the backbench.

After Mr Smith was evicted, Labor's treasury spokesman Wayne Swan also stood up, turned around and began talking to MPs sitting behind him.

Mr Abbott and Treasurer Peter Costello accused the trio of deliberately trying to block the fixed camera shots of Mr Howard.

"Mr Speaker, it was fairly obvious during the course of Question Time today that a number of opposition members, in particular the member for Grayndler, the member for Swan (sic) and the member for Lilley, were standing during prime ministerial answers in ways which were clearly designed to block the camera shot of the prime minister while he was giving answers," Mr Abbott said.

"I'd be grateful if you could review the footage and consider whether this is the kind of conduct which raises the dignity of the House."

Mr Hawker said he would look into the matter.

Labor frontbencher Lindsay Tanner was warned for interjecting: "It's not our fault he's short."

The opposition began Question Time complaining about Mr Hawker's impartiality after he ruled the first question of the day out of order.

Mr Beazley had asked Mr Howard about comments by Liberal MP Cameron Thompson criticising the prime minister over his role in the failed merger of the Liberals and Nationals in Queensland.

Mr Hawker ruled that questions about internal party matters were out of order.

AAP