Opposition MPs have been barred from accusing Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of being a 'liar' in Parliament. The ruling comes after a series of fiery Question Times, with Speaker Milton Dick intervening to strike out part of a question that referred to a 'lie' by the government.
Speaker's Ruling on Unparliamentary Language
The Speaker of the House is an elected MP who must act with strict impartiality. Dick, a widely respected Labor MP, has served in the role since 2022 when Labor was elected to office. He was re-elected to the speakership unopposed in 2025.
Opposition leader Angus Taylor accused the government of lying to voters at the last election, when Albanese backflipped on a pledge to not change the capital gains tax discount and negative gearing, with both being overhauled in the May 12 budget.
'Labor has refused to be honest with Australians about its plan for new toxic taxes. A lie that the government hid from Australians at the last election,' Taylor said in Question Time on Thursday, before being cut off by the Speaker.
In a formal ruling, Dick made clear the language would not be tolerated in the chamber. 'I do not allow any ambiguity around permitting accusations of lying in whatever carefully crafted form to continue,' Dick said. 'It does not support the dignity of this House and all of us as members.'
The Speaker said claims that a member had lied or deliberately misled the House amounted to 'an imputation or an improper motive', making them unparliamentary. He said the rule applies broadly, whether directed at an individual MP, the government or a political party.
'This language is unparliamentary and has been ruled by successive speakers, including when directed at governments or political parties,' he said.
Impact on Chamber Behaviour
Dick also pointed to the impact such rhetoric has had on behaviour in the chamber, citing recent disorder during sittings. 'I have observed when such accusations have been made in recent sittings, language has led to disruptive and disorderly behaviour in the chamber,' he said. 'I deem it undesirable from that perspective as well.'
To reinforce his position, Dick cited precedent, outlining how often previous Speakers from both Labor and Coalition sides had forced members to withdraw similar remarks. According to his figures, Speaker Neil Andrew Hawker required withdrawals ten times, Harry Jenkins 40 times, Peter Slipper six times, Tony Burke nine times, Bronwyn Bishop 21 times, Tony Smith 13 times, and Andrew Wallace twice.
'I want to make it very clear, as I've been doing, I intend to treat any accusations of lying as out of order,' he said. 'I will continue to ask such accusations to be withdrawn and will not allow [them] as part of questions.'
Dick warned MPs that repeated breaches would lead to further consequences. 'If this behaviour persists, members may find that they lose the call or lose their opportunity to ask a question,' he said.
Coalition MPs' Response
He also criticised Coalition MPs for displaying desk signs reading 'Labor Lies' that were visible from the public gallery. On Thursday, Forrest MP Ben Small posted a video of himself placing tape over his mouth, captioned: 'Preparing for Question Time now we can't call out Labor lies.'
The crackdown follows the ejection of Herbert MP Phillip Thompson from the chamber for 24 hours after he refused to withdraw a remark calling Albanese a liar.
