Page 2353 - Week 08 - Thursday, 7 June 1990
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although it may be the case - and I say so advisedly - that some of the things that Mr Collaery, the Attorney-General, said to the house were not true, it is not the case that Mr Collaery deliberately misled the house.
Discussion concluded.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion (by Mr Humphries) proposed:
That the Assembly do now adjourn.
Rulings from the Chair
MR BERRY (6.24): Mr Speaker, during the debate today on the Liberal Alliance's plan to take rates and taxes through the roof, I outlined the outrageous 16 per cent hike in rates. The Chief Minister accused me of not telling the truth. He was totally out of control. He was ordered on more than one occasion to withdraw the imputation that I was lying. He refused each and every time, at which point, Mr Speaker, the only option left was for you to name him. The house was in turmoil and the Speaker left the chair and suspended proceedings - I suggest, to allow the Chief Minister to cool down.
When the Speaker returned I requested, as the standing orders provide, that the Chief Minister be named for disorderly behaviour. Mr Speaker, you overruled that request. I then moved dissent from the Speaker's ruling. This was also disallowed. This is an unprecedented move in Westminster parliamentary practice. In every parliament across Australia and in the Western democracies there are clear rules, precedents and conventions about the conduct of parliamentary proceedings. I believe, Mr Speaker, that you have today thrown centuries of parliamentary practice out the window. I accept that you were under considerable pressure, and I ask you to consider the matter carefully.
I raise this matter in this debate because it is a fundamental issue about the operation of this Assembly and the light in which it is held throughout the country. Mr Speaker, the reprehensible behaviour you have displayed in your handling of these Assembly duties - - -
Mr Jensen: On a point of order, Mr Speaker; I think you have already indicated your view in relation to a matter of this nature being the subject of a substantive motion. I would suggest that it is appropriate, if Mr Berry wishes to raise any suggestion that you are not doing your job, for him to do so by way of a substantive motion.
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