Palmer and Wilkie to move no confidence motion in Speaker

Federal Member for Fairfax

Media release

Clive Palmer, the federal leader of the Palmer United Party and Member for Fairfax, said he would lodge a motion of no confidence in the Speaker of the House of Representatives when parliament resumed unless the Member for Mackellar resigns from the position.

“My hope is that Mrs Bishop will do the honourable thing and resign,’’ Mr Palmer said.

The Independent Member for Denison, Andrew Wilkie, said he would join with Mr Palmer and second the no confidence motion.

“Bronwyn Bishop is not a fit person to occupy the highest position in the House of Representatives,’’ Mr Wilkie said.

“The Member for Mackellar has abused parliamentary entitlements and treats public expectations with contempt. No wonder many members of the community question her integrity.”

Mr Palmer said that on top of the expenses scandal, questions must be asked as to how Mrs Bishop was allowed to continue to operate in such a biased and unfair way in support of the Government.

“There seems to be double standards with both the former speaker Peter Slipper and now Bronwyn Bishop. They have not been a fair yardstick for the Australian people. What’s good for the goose should be good for the gander,’’ Mr Palmer said.

“I personally have been very concerned that questions I have raised in Parliament on behalf of my constituents and all Australians have been dismissed by the Speaker because of her biased attitude.

“I will be calling a no confidence motion for bringing the position into disrepute.’’

Mr Wilkie agrees that the Australian people deserve a better and more open Parliament.

“Mrs Bishop has brought the Office of Speaker into disrepute by her scandalous bias,” Mr Wilkie said.

“This is another example of disgusting behaviour by politicians with an inflated view of their own importance and no respect for their office.”

Ends