Page 4576 - Week 15 - Wednesday, 20 November 1991
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MR SPEAKER: You are misreading it, Mr Berry. You are too close to the issue, obviously.
Mr Kaine: Mr Speaker, I would like to speak to Mr Berry's point of order. I think that Mr Berry is doing a great job of obfuscating the issue. The simple fact, and the basis for Mr Stevenson's motion, is that, despite your best endeavours, Ministers still flout the rules of this Assembly. That is exactly what this is about, and the greatest instigator of that is the person who was just on his feet. He obviously does not like the feel of the hot breath on the back of his neck and he does not want this debate to take place.
I believe that the Speaker has always endeavoured to implement the standing orders of this Assembly, but he cannot control people who wilfully and consistently disregard the rulings of the Speaker and disregard the wishes of the other members of this Assembly. It is a perfectly legitimate matter of public importance, regrettable as it is that it has to be brought up. Mr Berry's point of order should be given no consideration whatsoever.
Mr Berry: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. Mr Kaine just imputed that I wilfully disregard the rulings of the Speaker, and I ask that that be withdrawn.
MR SPEAKER: I would like to draw this point of order to a conclusion. I will not allow the point of order.
MR STEVENSON (4.13): Mr Speaker, I think my intent for the matter of public importance is clear. It is certainly not a reflection on your repeated attempts to have Ministers answer the questions in a concise and clear manner. Today's questions without notice, with one exception, could almost be a model - and I think we know well why that was; it was because of the matter of public importance coming on. Quite a few questions were asked and answered, the majority of which had supplementary questions, and, if it kept going along in that vein, I think many of us would be a lot happier.
Questions without notice plays an important role in this and other parliaments. It allows individual members of the community access, as it were, to members of the government through questions. It allows topical and urgent matters to be brought up on a day-to-day issue. This is one of the major reasons for questions without notice. It allows matters to be brought to public notice - and, indeed, there is a great deal of public notice during question time. As we all understand, of all times during the Assembly's proceedings, question time is the time when there are most people here. Immediately after question time it is all too common that the vast majority of the gallery, however large it is, departs.
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