Page 3102 - Week 11 - Wednesday, 12 September 1990
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Mr Kaine: I think the Attorney is trying to make a point which the Opposition ought to concede, because one day its members are going to be wanting to make the same point themselves. It concerns a clarification of the procedures of this Assembly. It is reasonable and proper that he should do so, and I think that - - -
Mr Moore: It has been clarified; you move dissent on notice.
MR SPEAKER: All right, Mr Moore!
Mr Kaine: If it is ultimately ruled that a Bill may not be proposed, that means that the proponent may not speak to it in the first place. That was the point that the Attorney was trying to make, and that is why he sought a ruling. I would submit, in all fairness - and I do not want to dissent from your ruling; I think that is a stupid procedural thing - that the point of order raised by the Attorney should be dealt with before the proponent speaks on the Bill, rather than afterwards. I think that it bears significantly on the point that the Attorney is trying to make. I would suggest - - -
MR SPEAKER: Order! I will just make a further statement on my behalf. The Bill is presented to me as it is presented to everyone else at the time, and, in a Bill of this magnitude, how am I, or anyone else, to know that somewhere hidden in the back - on page 51 or elsewhere - is a statement that prevents the Government from having to appropriate extra funding?
Mr Kaine: Again, on the point of order, Mr Speaker: I would suggest to you that when the Attorney makes a plea on the basis of legal advice, you should accept that there is validity in it. There is some validity to his point of order.
Motion (by Mr Moore) proposed:
That the debate be now adjourned.
Mr Duby: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker.
MR SPEAKER: I will take the point of order first, Mr Moore.
Mr Duby: In relation to this matter, Mr Speaker, House of Representatives Practice says in relation to private members that a private member may not initiate a Bill requiring the appropriation of revenue or money. But the precedent has been set by yourself, Mr Speaker, and with respect, you are wrong.
MR SPEAKER: Thank you for your observation, Mr Duby. I hope you never make a mistake. The point is that we have allowed this to come before the Assembly. If there was an issue to be raised, prior to the Bill being presented, I
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