The independence of the Speaker has again been compromised after the government was caught directing her to bring applause for Bill Shorten's budget reply speech to an end.
A video circulated on Thursday night by Labor showed the manager of government business Christopher Pyne explicitly directing Speaker Bronwyn Bishop to rise to her feet, which is the parliamentary signal for members to fall silent.
It's the second time in less than a week that Mr Pyne has embarrassed the government, after first being caught on tape delivering an insult to the Opposition Leader which some interpreted as a four-letter profanity, but which the government insisted was the word "grub".(1)
One of the first things the ALP needs to do when next in government is elect a new Speaker, esp. if this biased one is still there.
Footnote:
(1) http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/independence-of-speaker-bronwyn-bishop-again-compromised-after-she-takes-direction-from-christopher-pyne-20140516-38ee8.html#ixzz31ye9pw81
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