The Speaker of Australia's House of Representatives has publicly identified the most disruptive parliamentarians, with one Liberal frontbencher receiving one of the harshest sanctions seen in decades.
Using Standing Order 94(a), a rule granting the power to eject members for repeated interjections or refusing to follow the chair's instructions, Speaker Milton Dick has been enforcing order during often-heated debates.
The Repeat Offenders: Coalition MPs Top the List
As is historically common, members of the Opposition Coalition have dominated the suspension tally since the May 2025 election. This pattern typically stems from their role in vigorously challenging the government during Question Time.
Liberal frontbenchers Dan Tehan, Ted O'Brien, and Andrew Wallace lead the pack, each having been suspended three times. They are closely followed by colleagues Cameron Caldwell, Kevin Hogan, Ben Small, and Pat Conaghan, all with two suspensions to their name.
A longer list of MPs have been ejected once, including Sam Birrell, Scott Buchholz, Garth Hamilton, Adam Penfold, Angus Taylor, Philip Thompson, Rick Wilson, Tim Wilson, and Jason Wood.
A Calmer Chamber? Comparing Parliamentary Terms
While the list of names is notable, the current 48th Parliament has been relatively sedate. Only 31 suspensions have been recorded since the May election. This stands in stark contrast to the notoriously rowdy 44th Parliament, which witnessed a staggering 515 ejections.
That period was dominated by former Speaker Bronwyn Bishop, known for her strict enforcement. She famously ejected 18 Labor MPs in a single Question Time session. Her tenure ended amid the 'Choppergate' scandal involving taxpayer-funded helicopter travel.
The previous 47th Parliament, also presided over by Milton Dick, saw just 235 suspensions—the lowest full-term tally in recent history.
Discipline Across the Aisle and in the Senate
Disorder has not been confined to the Coalition benches. Several Labor MPs, including Josh Burns, Mike Freelander, Ed Husic, Rob Mitchell, and Tim Watts, have also received one suspension each since May.
Meanwhile, the Senate operates under different rules. The President cannot expel senators unilaterally; the chamber must vote to suspend a member, a rare occurrence. One Nation leader Pauline Hanson received a seven-day ban—the harshest penalty in decades—after she refused to remove a burqa worn in the chamber as a protest in November.
Despite the improved behaviour compared to past years, Speaker Milton Dick told Daily Mail he is not complacent. "It's been a positive start when it comes to parliamentary behaviour, but there's still more work to do," he said. "Australians expect a respectful Parliament, and that remains my priority."
