Page 5233 - Week 16 - Thursday, 28 November 1991
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Mr Connolly: I take a point of order, Mr Speaker. That clearly is an abuse of procedure and an indication of a lack of genuineness in calling for a vote. He is threatening and intimidating members. It could well amount, if we were to take it terribly seriously - - -
MR STEVENSON: You gag me, you prevent me from speaking, and I will call for a division on the item.
MR SPEAKER: Order, Mr Stevenson!
Mr Connolly: Clearly, that could well amount, if we were to take it particularly seriously, to a breach of privilege. He is threatening members as to how they may or may not vote on a gag. I would ask you to remind Mr Stevenson of what is and what is not acceptable.
Mr Collaery: Mr Speaker, I wish to address that point of order. Standing order 202 provides that a member may be named if he persistently and wilfully obstructs the business of the Assembly. I want to say to you, Mr Speaker, that Mr Stevenson has just denied all the reasons for his being here. He has said, without hearing arguments from the floor, that he will call for a division, that is, he will vote in a certain way. His behaviour obstructs the business of the Assembly. Mr Speaker, I am going to move that you utilise those provisions, if this continues much further.
MR SPEAKER: Mr Stevenson, I put you on warning. Please be careful.
MR STEVENSON: Mr Speaker, I speak to the motion.
MR SPEAKER: Please proceed.
MR STEVENSON: Mr Speaker, I speak to the motion that was just moved, as Mr Collaery did.
Mr Moore: He did not move a motion.
Mr Duby: Speak to the point of order.
MR SPEAKER: There was no motion; it was a point of order.
Mr Stevenson: I am sorry; I speak to the point of order. Mr Collaery said that I sought to have matters voted on before discussion had taken place. That is exactly what I seek to prevent. I have been gagged a number of times before I have had an opportunity to make the point.
Mr Wood: To waffle on, to stall. Why don't you be honest?
MR SPEAKER: As far as the point of order is concerned, Mr Stevenson, I would ask you to be warned that you are treading on thin ice. But I also warn other members that there is some fairly intemperate language coming out. That last one, from Mr Wood, I would ask to be withdrawn. The situation is that Mr Stevenson has every right to do what
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