Children turned away from Question Time after insults and bullying in parliament hit new lows

PRIMARY schoolchildren are being turned away from state parliament during Question Time because of fears they will be exposed to bullying.

PRIMARY schoolchildren are being turned away from state parliament during Question Time because of fears they will be exposed to bullying.

The Herald Sun can reveal parliament tour guides have started warning teachers that young children may witness disturbing verbal ­altercations in the Lower House, and schools are being given the chance to opt out of seeing the fiery displays.

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The embarrassing policy change comes amid concerns about worsening behaviour in the Legislative Assembly, with politicians calling each other grubs, scabs, liars, imbeciles and “dickhead”.

It is understood there have been several reports of children becoming distressed by comments and behaviour.

The embarrassing policy change comes amid concerns about worsening behaviour in the Legislative Assembly, with politicians calling each other grubs, scabs, liars, imbeciles and “dickhead”. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Premier Daniel Andrews said he was unaware of the new guidelines but urged for more decorum among MPs.

“Parliament is a very robust forum and we debate, discuss and argue about very important things. I am sure all of us can perhaps reflect on how we conduct ourselves. We always need to be mindful that debate be in as respectful terms as possible.”

Mr Donnellan said it was a “passionate house” but admitted there was “always capacity for improvement”.

Speaker Colin Brooks confirmed new guidelines were put in place because conduct in the chamber often did not pass the schoolyard test.

“My understanding is that tour guides advise teachers from schools that Question Time can be very rowdy and teachers can decide if students attend Question Time or not,” he told the Herald Sun.

Another government MP said: “It is not surprising. It can be vicious.”

An Andrews Government spokesman on Sunday said “robust debate” was an important cornerstone of the parliament and members on all sides knew they should contribute respectfully at all times.

The new guidelines have resulted in primary students rarely visiting the Lower House.

Victorian Nationals leader Peter Walsh drew criticism after yelling “d---head” across the chamber after a Labor MP’s interjection last year. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Roads Minister Luke Donnellan was forced to apologise in the chamber last month after he told a female country mayor that roads funding in her area was “better than a kick in the dick”.

Only weeks later, he was ordered to withdraw his comment that the Opposition were like “a pack of demented monks”.

Victorian Nationals leader Peter Walsh drew criticism after yelling “d---head” across the chamber after a Labor MP’s interjection last year.

Premier Daniel Andrews has also drawn criticism for his conduct.

He regularly slings insults across the chamber and was accused of bullying when he made comments about MP Andrew Katos’s weight in 2016.

Two Labor MPs had previously alleged the Premier used insulting language towards former Liberal MP Donna Bauer, who was battling bowel cancer in 2014.

Mr Andrews described the allegation that he said such a phrase as “defamatory, disgusting and wrong”. Picture: Stuart McEvoy

The then-Opposition leader is claimed to have remarked that Ms Bauer did not pose a threat at the election because she would be “s----ing in a bag”.

Mr Andrews described the allegation that he said such a phrase as “defamatory, disgusting and wrong”.

The Journal of the ­Society of Clerks last year also highlighted unparliamentary expressions in Spring Street’s Legislative Council, including the phrases “first-class idiot”, “Nazis are in town”, “s---”, and “f--- off”.

But etiquette has become so bad in the Lower House, members are being turfed on a daily basis for their conduct when parliament is sitting. Opposition education spokesman Tim Smith holds the record for being booted out the most in 2017, clocking at least 25 times.

The rule for schoolchildren has not been applied to the Upper House, where behaviour is less disorderly.

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