... `The Member Then Left The Chamber'

Those who regularly read parliamentary hansard (or who at least read the recent Andrew Fraser-Joe Tripodi incident rendered into such) will know that even the most passionate of parliamentary argy bargy can be drained of its biffo when set down for posterity.

Media reports on numbers varied yesterday, but having now read yesterday's Hansard (available here) I can confirm that a record eleven Opposition MPs were ejected ... sorry `removed themselves under standing order 94(a)', during yesterday's Question Time:

1) The Member for Rankin, Dr Craig Emerson
2) The Member for Charlton, Kelly Hoare
3) The Member for Fowler, Julia Irwin
4) The Member for Grayndler, Anthony Albanese
5) The Member for Oxley, Bernie Ripoll (a matter of seconds after Albo)
6) The Member for Ballarat, Catherine King
7) The Member for Corio, Gavan O'Connor
8) The Member for Calwell, Maria Vamvakinou
9) The Member for Holt, Anthony Byrne
10) The Member for Canberra, Annette Ellis
11) The Member for Melbourne Ports, Michael Danby

... and that's BEFORE the beginning of formal debate.

My computer doesn't seem to want to let me download the WorkChoices legislation. Perhaps it's trying to protect me.