Liberal MP Petrol Georgiou has interrupted parliament in a bid to force it to consider his legislation setting up an independent review of terrorism laws.
But the government used its numbers to quickly silence the outspoken backbencher.
Mr Georgiou introduced a private members's bill into the lower house on Monday creating the position of independent reviewer of terrorism laws.
The government allowed the bill to be introduced, but it was immediately adjourned without debate or a vote.
On Wednesday, Mr Georgiou moved to suspend the lower house as soon as it began at 0900 (AEDT) to force parliament to immediately debate his bill.
"Parliament should have an immediate opportunity to consider this bill to establish a safeguard for the protection of our security and our rights, one which has been strongly endorsed across the political spectrum within civil society," he told the lower house.
Mr Georgiou said parliament had enacted more than 30 laws dealing with terrorism since 2001, establishing offences and procedures that departed significantly from traditional criminal law principles and practices and restricted fundamental civil liberties.
"It is critical that Parliament and the executive are well informed about the effectiveness and impact of the laws," he said.
"However, the machinery of vigilance in Australia is deficient - reviews to date have been sporadic and fragmented and with limited mandates.
"Important issues have not been addressed. A credible new mechanism of review is essential."
Mr Georgiou said the Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security had twice recommended the position of an independent reviewer be established to provide integrated and ongoing monitoring of the laws.
Other authoritative commentators including the inspector-general of intelligence and security and the president of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission had also supported the plan.
Manager of Government Business Anthony Albanese moved to cut off the Liberal MP, calling a vote for him to be "no longer heard".
Members of the opposition voted against silencing him, but Mr Albanese's motion carried 74 to 61.
Fellow Liberal backbencher Judi Moylan seconded the bill, but she was also immediately cut off.
Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson is understood to have told a party room meeting last week at which Mr Georgiou raised the plan that the idea of a review "had merit".
Mr Georgiou has repeatedly spoken out against the former coalition government's policies which he says are a breach of civil liberties, including immigration detention laws.
In 2005, Mr Georgiou was the first coalition MP to publicly speak out about the anti-terrorism laws and call for an independent review.
Front page
RSS Feed