Page 228 - Week 02 - Tuesday, 12 May 1992
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DECLARATION OF PRIVATE INTERESTS OF MEMBERS
AND IMMEDIATE FAMILIES
Statement by Speaker
MADAM SPEAKER: Before we move on to the next item on today's program, I want to make a couple of short statements. I wish to make a statement concerning the declaration of private interests that members are required to provide to the Speaker.
Section 3 of the declaration requires that members specify the precise location of any real estate in which they or their immediate family hold an interest. Concern has been expressed that members could therefore be required to state the precise location of their private residence. Following consultation with party leaders, I have allowed members, in declaring their private interests in relation to real estate property in which they reside, to specify the general location, rather than the precise location, should they wish to do so. I have done this because I do not think it is the intention of the declaration of private interests to make publicly available the private address of each member, where the member does not wish this to be publicised. Accordingly, members who have an interest in their principal place of residence will not be required to specify the precise location in future.
UNPARLIAMENTARY LANGUAGE
Statement by Speaker
MADAM SPEAKER: My second statement refers to my ruling on "hypocrisy". Members may recall that during the proceedings of the Assembly of Thursday, 9 April 1992, I was asked to make a ruling on Mr Berry's use of the word "hypocrisy". Mr Berry used the words, "The odour of hypocrisy permeates the atmosphere". Standing order 55 states:
All imputations of improper motives and all personal reflections on Members shall be considered highly disorderly.
The standing orders also provide that it is the Speaker who must determine whether words used are offensive or disorderly.
In ruling on these matters, I intend to base my judgment on the nature of the word and the context in which it is used. A word that may be disorderly or offensive in one set of circumstances can be considered quite acceptable when used in a different set of circumstances or delivered in a different tone of voice. Although the use of the word "hypocrisy" has been ruled out of order when used in a certain context in the past, I do not consider the use of the word on 9 April to constitute an imputation or a personal reflection on a member or members. I therefore consider that the words used do not require withdrawal.
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