SPEAKER BANS CLAP

 

CANBERRA  :   During  the  Budget reply speech by  ALP  leader  Bill Shorten ,  Speaker   Bronwyn  Bishop  took umbrage  at  members of  the  public gallery  clapping .   She ordered  them  to hold  back   approbation  until  the end  of   the reply .  Of  course,  they  rightly  rejected  her   unreasonable   demand   and  clapped  when  they  felt  so  inclined . It  has been  reported  that   the  gallery was packed with  ALP  staff members  . So  what ? Surely  this  is  a  right  in  a  democracy , even  in  parliament house .  

 

The loud  clapping  when  Shorten dared Abbott  to bring on an election  was  good to hear  and must have struck fear into the  hearts of  the  government members . 

 

 In  the  past  the  Speaker  has  taken  a  strong  line  against   laughing  by  the  Opposition    and  ejected   more  than  100 of  them.   On   the  other  hand ,  she  has been seen  laughing  at   comments  from  the  Government  and  has  also been  sighted beaming  at   the  lousy singer  and cigar chomping  blustering  Treasurer ,  addressing    him  as  “ Joe ”.