Page 2827 - Week 10 - Tuesday, 14 August 1990
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Mr Humphries: On the point of order, Mr Acting Speaker, I contend that it is impossible to make an unparliamentary reference in respect of members of an entire party. There are hundreds of members of the Labor Party in Canberra.
MR ACTING SPEAKER: Yes, that is true, Mr Humphries. That is what I have ruled; that, if you made it in relation to an entire party, you continue. I believe that is what you did.
Mr Berry: I rise on a point of order. This has had some precedents in the past where the Speaker ruled that we could not make collective statements or criticisms of the members opposite and the Government opposite. And I think that - - -
MR ACTING SPEAKER: I think I know what you mean. Mr Humphries, will you just withdraw so much of "conspirators" as relates to these five particular members here, and I think we will get on with it.
MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Acting Speaker, I withdraw the reference to the five opposite and say that all members of the ALP who handed out how to vote cards in 1988 were conspirators with the Federal Government when they closed five schools at the end of 1988. And Ms Follett and her friends opposite - - -
Ms Follett: I raise a point of order. That is quite clearly a qualified withdrawal. He has referred to all members of the Australian Labor Party, and quite clearly the five of us are all members of that party. He is attempting to get around your ruling by stealth.
MR ACTING SPEAKER: Mr Humphries, if you would just withdraw in relation to these five members and continue.
MR HUMPHRIES: Clearly, Mr Acting Speaker, I am referring to members of the ALP generally. If that happens to include - - -
MR ACTING SPEAKER: Well just continue now.
Ms Follett: Has he withdrawn it?
MR ACTING SPEAKER: Yes, he has. Continue now, Mr Humphries.
MR HUMPHRIES: It is perfectly obvious, Mr Acting Speaker, that those opposite obviously are sensitive about this subject because they know that that decision was sensible. They know that this Government has closed schools because it is a sensible decision. They know that their colleagues in Victoria are closing schools because it is a sensible decision. Their colleagues in South Australia are closing schools because it is a sensible decision. Their colleagues in Tasmania tried to close schools because it is
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