Lisa Cox National political reporter May 16, 2014
Leader of the House Christopher Pyne signals he's heard enough applause for Bill Shorten's budget reply and Speaker Bronwyn Bishop swiftly intervenes.
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".
Madam Speaker Bronwyn Bishop's independence has again been called into question. Photo: Andrew Meares
During enthusiastic applause at the end of Mr Shorten's speech on Thursday night, Mr Pyne could clearly be seen gesturing to Ms Bishop to stand up, which she duly does at his instruction.
Manager of Opposition Business Tony Burke circulated footage of the incident on social media and on Friday labelled Mr Pyne "arrogant" for directing the speaker to calm the House.
"The arrogance of Christopher Pyne issuing instructions to the Speaker is breathtaking," Mr Burke said.
"I don't think anyone gets surprised anymore when the Speaker appears to follow the instructions immediately."
Labor has accused Ms Bishop of being the most biased Speaker in history. In opposition, Prime Minister Tony Abbott said he favoured an independent speakership, but Ms Bishop has since ignored that by remaining active in the party room
In March, Labor unsuccessfully tried to strip her of the speakership through a motion of no confidence.
The attempt was made after Ms Bishop ejected shadow attorney general Mark Dreyfus from the parliament, making him the 98th MP to be thrown out of the House this year.
"Every one of them from the opposition. Ninety-eight-love," Mr Burke said at the time. Two days later the tally had risen to 99.
A spokesman for Mr Pyne said on Friday Ms Bishop had acted appropriately after Mr Shorten's speech.
"Tony Burke knows when the budget in reply has concluded and there is nothing before the chair the House must adjourn," he said.
"The Speaker acted entirely appropriately and adjourned the House and I'm surprised Mr Burke is questioning this."
