Page 972 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 27 March 1990
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"Mr Whalan, standing order 40, big wink". Mr Whalan was suspended from this Assembly and on his first return to it he did not abide by standing order 40. I did not raise the issue then. He then came back in tonight at 8.40, walked in, spoke to other members and sat with his back to the Chair, knowing full well that my eyes were upon him. Eventually, after about two minutes, he turned to the Chair and gave me a big, smart wink. I did not raise the issue then, but it was my intention from that time on to record every time that Mr Whalan does so misbehave in effect over and above the standing orders.
The reason I decided to do that was the misreporting that was carried out in the editorial of the Canberra Times relating to Mr Whalan never being warned before and that I had a hair-trigger. This is what I am referring to with Mr Berry. Now, I will read to the Assembly the words used by me to Mr Berry on Wednesday, 21 March. Mr Berry asked the question and I will quote from Hansard - Mr Berry, I would request that you remain, if possible. It reads as follows:
MR BERRY: Mr Speaker, you have taken the opportunity to draw my attention to standing order 40 of the standing and temporary orders about the acknowledgement of the Chair. I would be quite happy to do that if you would indicate how you would like that acknowledgement presented.
MR SPEAKER: Thank you for that opportunity. It is common knowledge that in all parliaments and in the judiciary a nod of the head towards the Chair is the accepted method.
MR BERRY: So would you like me to bow?
MR SPEAKER: No, a nod of the head would do, thank you.
MR BERRY: What about a raise of the eyebrows?
MR SPEAKER: Certainly not.
The point is that I believe that there is a deliberate action on behalf of Messrs Berry and Whalan to openly flout this standing order.
Mr Berry: Point of order, Mr Speaker.
MR SPEAKER: Point of order nothing, Mr Berry. Please be seated. You have had your turn. You levelled your accusations at me.
Mr Moore: He has raised a point of order. Mr Speaker, you are using the Chair. He has a point of order.
MR SPEAKER: Yes, point of order, Mr Berry.
Mr Berry: I think that whilst it is your right to make statements, it seems to me to be an unacceptable use of your position to be making statements which are not open to debate.
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