Push to punish MPs for bad behaviour

At the end of question time on Wednesday, Spender asked House Speaker Milton Dick to review the House’s conduct because it is “unlike any workplace I’ve ever been in.”

The Speaker said he agreed with Spender’s views. “We must find ways to better engage in debate and maintain respectful behaviour… I will reflect on recent standards and behaviour and report back to MPs.”

However, deputy opposition leader Sussan Ley said blue-green independents needed to “consider their actions”.

“Recently, the member for Warringah that you mentioned has made some personal attacks on our leader Peter Dutton that have been quite vicious, unprofessional, irresponsible and repeated both inside and outside of Parliament,” Ley told ABC News.

The government needs cross-party support to pass tough new sanctions for bad behaviour, as MPs from all parties worry that complaints to the regulator could be used for political gain.

Politicians could have their pay docked or be suspended if they are found to have committed serious workplace violations such as bullying or sexual harassment.

While the new watchdog’s investigation is subject to multiple checks and balances, any punishment would have to be approved by a parliamentary vote.

Liberal backbencher Garth Hamilton said he would not support the bill because it would “add another unelected bureaucratic line between politicians and voters”.

“This commission will be politicized and democracy will be weakened. If you are not willing to fight for what you believe in, politics is not for you,” he said.

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Nationals MP Keith Pitt also worries the new law could deter future candidates from entering politics.

“It’s hard enough getting good people into politics right now, and this proposal will make it even harder to attract good candidates,” he said.

“Certainly existing parliamentary oversight, separation of powers, criminal and common law, state law, local law, natural justice, the National Anti-Corruption Commission and the fourth estate can already set standards.”

Make sense of the hustle and bustle of federal politics with news, opinion and expert analysis from Jacqueline Maley. Subscribers can sign up for our weekly Inside Politics newsletter here.