Having helped to orchestrate a change of government, the media are now promoting the lie that the former Australian Federal Government were somehow badly mannered in parliament.
They can provide a few pictures they promoted, but they will never be able to replicate the appallingly low standards of previous ALP administrations. The new Rudd administration shows all the signs of being vitriolic and abusive before its first sitting.
Rudd MPs to keep it professional
ReplyDeleteBy Gerard McManus
THE Rudd Government is set to inflict the cruellest blow on the defeated Coalition when the new Parliament sits next week - a dignified and civil chamber.
ALP backbenchers report that Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has told MPs and ministers to avoid barbed replies or hubris during Question Time, partly to embarrass the previous government.
"Once they (the Liberals and Nationals MPs) realise we are there and they see a more dignified Parliament, it will be devastating for them," one MP said.
The tactic comes amid a call from Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson for everyday Australians to submit questions to be asked by the Opposition at Question Time.
In a bid to outdo Labor in the new politics of consensus, Dr Nelson yesterday invited people to submit their questions.
During the final years of the Howard government in particular, Coalition frontbenchers such as Tony Abbott and Alexander Downer regularly taunted the then Opposition with what Labor argued was little restraint from the Speaker David Hawker.
Mr Hawker yesterday stepped down.
But despite the still smarting Labor MPs, it is understood Mr Rudd has ordered his ministers that there should be no payback.
How long the era of civility will last is another matter.
One job of the new Speaker, Victorian MP Harry Jenkins, will be to lift the tone in the House of Representatives.
Labor has promised to introduce measures to improve the running of the Parliament.
The 42nd Parliament opens on Tuesday.