Albanese humiliated on Friday sittings back-down

Anthony Albanese has today been forced into a humiliating back-down from Parliament’s Friday sittings, Opposition Justice and Border Protection Spokesman Christopher Pyne said today.

“Mr Albanese has finally heeded the concerns I outlined in my speech to the House on Thursday 21st February when I pointed out that the proposed Friday sittings would be in breach of section 39 of the Constitution” Mr Pyne said.

“Section 39 of the Constitution requires that a quorum be present at all times in the House of Representatives – a requirement breached by Labor’s standing orders for Friday sittings.

“After hiding his own legal advice on the matter from the Parliament and Speaker Harry Jenkins, Mr Albanese has now been forced to abandon what was a disgraceful abuse of the Parliament.

“If Labor wants Friday sittings then the Opposition will support them. However, we expect that whenever the Parliament is sitting, the Prime Minister and his Ministers must show up.”