Page 1902 - Week 06 - Thursday, 2 May 1991

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Mr Berry: Mr Speaker, I am afraid that it cannot be brief. It cannot be brief because it goes to the issue of what is parliamentary and what is not.

MR SPEAKER: Mr Berry, the point is that I gave a ruling on this yesterday and we believe within this chamber that if there is to be dissent from the Speaker's ruling you have to move a substantive motion.

Mr Berry: The custom in this Assembly is that people are entitled to respond to points of order.

MR SPEAKER: That is correct.

Mr Berry: I would like to respond.

MR SPEAKER: The point is, though, that yesterday I ruled on that point of order. The word "furphy" is interpreted as a lie, and therefore I would ask you to withdraw.

Mr Berry: Well, I will raise a point of order. I will raise the point of order that the word "furphy" is in order and I will seek to prove that.

MR SPEAKER: Order! There is no allowance within our standing orders for disagreement with the decision taken by the Speaker, except by substantive motion. Therefore, until you do so, I ask you to withdraw that word.

Mr Connolly: I take a point of order, Mr Speaker.

MR SPEAKER: One point of order at a time. Thank you, Mr Connolly.

Mr Connolly: Mr Speaker, one of the great heritages of Australians is the Australian language. The word "furphy" originates from the water-cart that you can see in the War Memorial. It grew out of the trenches of World War 1.

MR SPEAKER: Thank you for your observation.

Mr Connolly: It means a rumour. It is absurd, and brings this place into disrepute - - -

MR SPEAKER: Yes, I am sure it does.

Mr Connolly: If great Australian words are overruled.

MR SPEAKER: Mr Connolly, would you raise it as a substantive motion.

Mr Connolly: I would ask you to consider this very carefully.

Mr Jensen: Mr Speaker, he is speaking over you.

MR SPEAKER: Thank you. Mr Berry, would you withdraw the word.


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