Senate Turmoil: Coalition Faces Backlash Over Allegations of Silencing Women

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“I want to ask a question to inform the women in my community.” That’s how Labor senator Marielle Smith addressed the Senate during Thursday’s extended Question Time.

However, Smith — who said she was hoping to hear more about the government’s investment in women’s health — couldn’t finish her question over the loud interjections.

Despite Senate President Sue Lines declaring that the upper house was “out of order”, her calls for decorum weren’t heeded.

Industry and Innovation Minister Tim Ayres subsequently stood up to back his party colleague.

“Senator Smith is attempting to convey her stance, but it’s quite challenging with all the loud interruptions from the gentlemen over here,” remarked Ayres.

Environment Minister Murray Watt stands in front of a blue wall at the National Press Club in Canberra holding the almost 1,500 page Environment Protection Reform Bill.

Thursday proved eventful for Environment and Water Minister Murray Watt, who also addressed the National Press Club regarding anticipated reforms to environmental legislation. Source: AAP / Lukas Coch

Murray Watt further came to Smith’s aid after presenting reforms to safeguard the environment in the parliamentary session today.

Responding to a remark by Opposition senator Bridget McKenzie regarding the silencing of women, the Senate president responded:

Liberal Senator James Paterson, who entered federal parliament in 2016 at the age of 37, retorted, “I’m old enough to recall you [Watt] yelling at female senators from these very seats. A bit of self-awareness wouldn’t hurt.”

Senator Jane Hume, in thick black glasses, holds up a paper chain made up of mintie wrappers.

“Senator McKenzie, honestly, I wish you’d heed your own counsel regarding that remark,” Watt responded.

During the drawn-out Senate Question Time, Liberal Senator Jane Hume visibly displayed her disinterest by crafting a necklace out of Mintie wrappers. Source: AAP / Lukas Coch

Questioning Question Time?

Question Time is typically one hour, but Thursday’s chaotic session ran for over three hours, thanks to a motion put by independent senator David Pocock on Wednesday afternoon.

Pocock is incensed by Labor’s delay in releasing a report into government public sector board appointments, which was first handed to them in August 2023.

Government figures have said the document is subject to cabinet and confidentiality restrictions but it will be released once those are worked through.

Senator David Pocock, in a blue suit and white shirt, leans back into his seat, staring off into the distance.

Independent senator David Pocock is the architect of a motion to extend Senate Question Time. Source: AAP / Lukas Coch

In an act of rebellion, Pocock secured the support of the Coalition, Greens and crossbench to extend Senate Question Time until the report is tabled.

The Albanese government has reportedly threatened to sack Coalition MPs from senior committee positions over the move, which is anticipated to create turmoil for the remainder of the parliamentary year.

Clarification: A previous version of this article referenced an off-microphone interjection by Senator Dean Smith, in which he used “M Smith” to refer to Senator Marielle Smith. This was misinterpreted in the context of chamber exchanges. References to this interjection, and to a subsequent but unrelated comment by Senator Marielle Smith, have since been removed.