Clive Palmer still haunting parliament with his $100m man

The mining magnate’s $100m man in Canberra has made his presence felt during a memorable question time performance.

Revenge might be a dish best served cold, but in the parliament payback is best carried out in the Senate.

Or at least that appears to be the mantra of the Coalition, who continued its time-wasting crusade during question time on Thursday.

Senate president Sue Lines again struggled to maintain control as senators screamed at each other across the aisle over anything and everything.

No topic was off limits. Foot and mouth disease? “Hypocrisy,” cried Penny Wong.

It was another disorderly day in the Senate. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Young people not being able to afford to pay their energy bills? “Can someone hand the Minister (Murray Watt) the answer?” LNP senator James McGrath yelled.

A plan to tackle rising inflation? “What plan!” the opposition shouted.

Unlike her counterpart in the other chamber, Senator Lines was unable to eject repeat offenders.

Instead, with a stern voice, she told Senator McGrath to politely zip it. Which, he of course, promptly ignored.

“This is not a debate, it is a direct request,” she said.

“Stop being disorderly.”

Senator Murray Watt copped the brunt from the Coalition. Picture: Kym Smith

At the half-hour mark only three questions had been asked as the Senate was repeatedly called to order for “disorderly” interjections and points of orders.

Greens senator Nick McKim pointed it out. Did it help? No.

Someone who was enjoying himself was Clive Palmer’s $100m man, Ralph Babet. After skipping the show on Wednesday, the UAP Senator sat back and watched the entertainment before him.

Nodding along, laughing and eye rolling, he experienced a rollercoaster of emotions before stepping up to ask his first question about how the government would pay back debt and bring down electricity prices.

Ralph Babet caused a stir with his first question in the Senate. Picture: Supplied

As the chamber descended into disarray once again, he looked down at his watch and laughed, as if to say, “my work is done”.

All the while, independent Senator David Pocock looked at him, mimed a stirring of a pot, and shook his head.

With question time almost over, Jacqui Lambie stood up and provided a much needed tonic.

The Tasmanian senator asked several questions about how the government’s domestic violence leave would work in practice.

Senator Watt, who is the only representing minister, took the questions on notice and offered to facilitate further meetings about the legislation.

The chamber was quiet in respect, and mostly continued (bar when Senator Don Farrell mentioned the topic of wine exports) until the President finally called time.

Originally published as Clive Palmer still haunting parliament with his $100m man