Labor moves parliament motion on Heydon

Labor wants parliament to acknowledge the ex-High Court judge presiding over the royal commission into union corruption has disqualified himself over an invitation to address a Liberal Party fundraiser.

Manager of opposition business Tony Burke told parliament on Thursday that Dyson Heydon's attendance at the Sir Garfield Barwick address in Sydney later in August would be an "absolute disgrace".

"By his own actions he has disqualified himself from conducting the royal commission," he said.

The opposition was unsuccessful in bringing on a debate after it was swiftly gagged by deputy speaker Rob Mitchell - a Labor MP - who ruled that the business of the chamber could not be overtaken.

MPs were debating a motion on 100th anniversary of the landings at Gallipoli when Labor interrupted proceedings.

At the same time, Mr Heydon released a statement saying he would not be delivering the address.

Shadow attorney-general Mark Dreyfus later told reporters Labor wanted to move a motion that would have allowed parliament to declare that Mr Heydon, by his own actions, had disqualified himself.

"But that is as far as we have taken it at this point," he said.