Llew O’Brien removed from House after swearing during climate debate
Llew O’Brien was ordered out of the House of Representatives for three hours after shouting an obscenity while Anthony Albanese defended the government’s climate agenda. The exchange followed a question from Barnaby Joyce about the Climate Change Department’s budget and unfolded amid calls for greater respect in Parliament.
Joyce said the department cost $8.7 billion a year and argued it should be scrapped, while Albanese cited scientific evidence that climate change is real and said extreme weather events were becoming more frequent and intense. Speaker Milton Dick said swearing was unacceptable and directed O’Brien to leave. The confrontation came as Albanese had urged politicians to lower the temperature of debate following an alleged attack that left independent MP Helen Haines seriously injured.
In short
- Llew O’Brien was expelled for three hours after swearing in Parliament.
- The clash followed debate over the Climate Change Department’s $8.7 billion budget.
- The Speaker called for respect amid heightened concerns about political conduct.
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The case for
A robust challenge to climate policy is part of parliamentary accountability, especially when a department is said to cost $8.7 billion a year; MPs should be able to question its spending and argue for its abolition. Advocates of this view may also see forceful language as expressing public frustration, while still accepting that parliamentary rules should be applied consistently.
The case against
Parliamentary debate depends on members being able to scrutinise policy without personal abuse or obscenity, so removing an MP who swears can uphold standards and protect the chamber’s ability to function. Advocates of this view may also argue that, amid calls to lower political tensions and a serious attack on an MP, elected representatives have a particular responsibility to keep disagreement civil.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Coalition MP booted from Parliament after swearing at Anthony Albanese during fiery climate clash”.