The Opposition Leader moved a motion to suspend standing orders in the House of Representatives to call on Labor to support the Coalition’s proposal and an audit of Indigenous program spending.

“The inability to act to save those young children is a damning indictment on this Prime Minister and on this hopeless government,” he said in the chamber.

He said while the proposal might not be supported by land councils or communities with “a vested interest otherwise”, the Prime Minister had a duty to act.

“Somehow we don’t see it as a priority in this parliament, or at least this prime minister doesn’t see it as a priority, for this parliament to call for a royal commission,” he said.

“To understand what is happening to have such a significant prevalence of child sexual abuse within Indigenous communities.

“Not within every Indigenous community, of course not.”

A government spokesperson said another royal commission wasn’t needed to “tell us what concrete action is needed”.

A similar motion, introduced by Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, was shot down in the Senate on Tuesday evening.

Health Minister Mark Butler, who is also the deputy leader of the house, described the motion as a “political stunt” as he told the chamber the government would not be supporting the motion.

“This is an important issue and to come in without any notice and (move) a suspension motion about something that is as important and as sensitive as this sends a pretty clear signal about what this is about.

“This is about trying to create a political point against the government. Now that’s the opposition’s right. That is how this building works. But let’s not be too holier than thou about this if you want a genuine debate about child sex abuse.”

The motion ultimately failed, 51 votes to 81. Independents Bob Katter, Dai Le and Rebekha Sharkie voted with the Coalition.

Liberal MP Bridget Archer crossed the floor to reject the motion, alongside Labor, the Greens and the rest of the crossbench.