Labor MP Michelle O’Byrne’s ire at ‘unladylike’ rebuke from Speaker Sue Hickey

A Labor MP has objected to the Speaker describing her behaviour as “unladylike.”

Labor's Michelle O'Byrne in state parliament in Hobart today. PHOTO: DAVID KILLICK

A Labor MP has taken objection to her behaviour in parliament being described as “unladylike”.

Labor member Michelle O’Byrne was rebuked by Speaker Sue Hickey in the opening minutes of Question Time today.

MENTAL HEALTH PROMISE QUESTIONED

She was one of a number of members — male and female — who were loudly interrupting Premier Will Hodgman’s answer to an Opposition question on health.

“Ms O’Byrne, it is very unladylike to be yelling in the House,” she said.

Ms O’Byrne objected to the Speaker’s description, saying it was “inappropriate to be mentioning someone’s gender” when issuing them a warning.

“I’m sorry Ms O’Byrne, are you referring that to me?” Ms Hickey asked.

“Yes, Madam Speaker,” came the reply.

The Speaker was not impressed.

“Oh for goodness sake, this is political correctness taken to the nth degree. Your behaviour was inappropriate whether it was ladylike or otherwise. I will not be spoken to like that again, Ms O’Byrne.”

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Labor MP Michelle O'Byrne walks from the lower house after being ejected by Speaker Sue Hickey on Wednesday July 31, 2019. PHOTO: DAVID KILLICK

Ms O’Byrne was later ejected from Question Time for further interjections.

Debate in parliament was dominated by questions from the Opposition over health and the state’s ambulance crisis.