[Greens-Media] President rules McGuaran obscenity not for Privileges Committee either

[Oquist, Ben (Sen B. Brown)]

Friday, 12 August 2005


President rules McGuaran obscenity not for Privileges Committee either

The President of the Senate, Paul Calvert, who ruled yesterday that
Senator McGuaran's obscene gesture on the floor of the Senate was not in
contempt of the Senate, has ruled today that the matter should not be
referred to the powerful Privileges Committee, Greens Senator Bob Brown
said today.

"McGuaran gets off scot-free. The government-nominated President first
rules that McGuaran was not in contempt of the Senate, next that his
Behaviour does not deserve reference to the Privileges Committee and ,
next Monday, government numbers will protect him from Lyn Allison's
motion dissenting from his ruling," Senator Bob Brown said.

"The Prime Minister says McGuaran's behaviour is 'unacceptable' and
'wrong', but his government makes sure there is no penalty.

"The episode underscores the new Senate reality: on the one hand the
government will use its numbers to shelter misbehaviour within its own
ranks and on the other hand it will avoid penalising such misbehaviour
to ensure no member crosses the floor," Senator Brown said.

More information: Ben Oquist 02 6277 3170 or 0419 704 095