Page 4146 - Week 14 - Thursday, 25 October 1990
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would withdraw the comment but would come back and prove that Mr Berry had indeed misled the Assembly. Mr Berry this week has made much of an allegation that the Government - - -
Mr Berry: On a point of order, Mr Speaker: I think that accusations of untruths and misleading are most appropriately dealt with by way of a substantive motion and it is out of order for the Minister to proceed in this way.
MR SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr Berry. I will take advice on that issue.
Order, members! On advice, I take the view that we should refer to page 486 of House of Representatives Practice. Mr Berry's point is valid in that the manner in which we are approaching this at the moment means that he would not have an opportunity to defend himself and answer the charge. I would ask that this be raised as a substantive motion. That can be done in the normal manner or you could in fact move a motion to have the house accept that at this time.
Mr Kaine: On a point of order, Mr Speaker: I would remind you that the house has already suspended standing orders to allow Mr Humphries to make his statement. I do not think it is a matter for debate.
Mr Moore: No, we did not. This is the debate on it. This is the debate on the suspension.
Mr Jensen: Yes, we did.
Mrs Grassby: No, we did not.
Mr Kaine: We did. He stood up, in fact, to make his statement. It is too late to take points of order as to whether or not it is appropriate.
MR SPEAKER: Thank you for that observation, Mr Kaine.
Members interjected.
Mr Jensen: Terry is still getting the knives out of his back, mate. You could not lie straight in bed.
Mr Berry: Mr Speaker, you probably did not hear that, but it will be recorded on Hansard that Mr Jensen said that I could not lie straight in bed.
Mr Connolly: A very dignified comment!
Mr Berry: Very dignified! It should be withdrawn.
MR SPEAKER: Mr Berry, I did not hear that statement. There are more important things going on at the moment, I believe.
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