Scrum at the top … Greens senator Kerry Nettle, fourth from left, comes in contact with Liberal senator Ross Lightfoot, second from left, as Coalition politicians including the Prime Minister block her from presenting a petition to Mr Bush. Photo by Graham Tidy

Related:  Enlarged shot of senators being blocked

Greens Senator Bob Brown claims he and Senator Kerry Nettle were assaulted by Coalition MPs in the parliamentary chamber to stop them meeting George Bush and one told Senator Nettle she should “die”, but their efforts did not stop Senator Brown shaking Mr Bush’s hand.

The president’s address to Parliament was given amid high tension in the House of Representatives after Senator Brown interrupted with a call to Mr Bush to release two Australian citizens detained without charge in Guantanamo Bay.

Coalition MPs shouted him down as he said: “I call on you to return our Australians (and) treat them as the Americans do (and) we will respect you.”

When Kerry Nettle rose later to urge Australia not to sign a free trade agreement with the United States, Coalition MPs again shouted her down. But when Mr Bush responded, “I love free speech”, they burst into applause.

As President Bush left the chamber Liberal Senator Ross Lightfoot (Western Australia) and two other unidentifed Coalition MPs, jostled the Green Senators to stop them giving the president a letter from the family of one of the detained Australian citizens. Senator Nettle said Senator Lightfoot told her she should “die”.

Senator Brown said Senator Lightfoot was the most physically vigorous with him.

“I was physically elbowed and had my feet trodden on,” Senator Brown said. “Despite all that I reached through and had a double handshake with George Bush, including the thumb around.” He said Mr Bush returned his gaze and acknowledged him when he said: “I hope you will release our citizens from Guantanamo Bay.”

An officer of the Parliament tried to eject Senator Brown after his intervention during the president’s speech but he refused and the official walked away.

Mr Howard went bright red and clutched the despatch box. After Mr Bush left the chamber, health minister Tony Abbott demanded that Senators Brown and Nettle be suspended from Parliament.

Coalition MPs yelled out “Yes” but some on the Labor side said “No”.

When Senator Brown called for a “division” so the matter could be voted on the government dropped its demand.

Sydney Labor MP Tanya Plibersek walked around the chamber as President Bush shook hands with MPs to give Bush’s national security adviser Condoleezza Rice a book of speeches by Labor MPs opposing Australia invading Iraq without UN approval. Ms Rice shook Ms Plibersek’s hand and took the book with a smile.

The president later cancelled a photocall with Opposition leader Simon Crean.