“The bullying and intimidation that is apparent in the union movement is still a part of the Labor Party culture. The revelation this week about the intimidation that has been directed towards Ms Singh, State Labor backbencher for the Lower House, and the expulsion of Mr Terry Martin, former Labor MLC turned Independent Legislative Councillor for the Upper House, puts in stark relief the undemocratic culture that is pervasive in the way the Labor Party does business.

“The Labor Party’s actions in the nation’s reviewing houses, such as the Upper House in Tasmania and federally in the Senate, has defrauded the Australian people of their democratic right. Their job quiet evidently is not to review, but to agree blindly to the instructions of caucus; a process that Australians despise.

“I challenge Mr Rudd to release the shackles that have manacled his party to the 1920’s in the parliamentary reviewing houses across this country. At the very least Mr Rudd should restore the integrity that should be part of federal Labor Party Senators and how they fulfil their obligation to our Nation.

“Mr Rudd should make a clear statement now that the so called ‘pledge’ that Labor Senators have to give, which in essence completely compromises their constitutional validity to review and amend legislation and represent their State, should be removed.

“If you can’t trust Labor Senators to do their constitutional job you can’t trust Labor to be honest with the people in representing our country. Senator Joyce said.