Page 3600 - Week 14 - Tuesday, 8 December 1992
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PRIVILEGE
Statement by Speaker
MADAM SPEAKER: I inform the Assembly that I have received from Mr Moore written notice of an alleged breach of privilege. Mr Moore has given notice of the breach pursuant to the provisions of standing order 71. The matter raised by Mr Moore concerns the fact that at a meeting Mr Moore had with a school principal on 2 December that school principal had a copy of the uncorrected proof Hansard for Wednesday, 25 November 1992. Mr Moore also expressed concern about how widespread was the distribution of this particular uncorrected proof Hansard. For the information of members, I table a copy of Mr Moore's letter.
I have considered the matter raised by Mr Moore and have concluded that it does not merit precedence as a matter of privilege. It is open to Mr Moore, should he so wish, to give notice of a motion to refer the matter as one of privilege to the Administration and Procedures Committee.
The matter raised by Mr Moore is of concern. The uncorrected proof copy of the debates of the Assembly has a very restricted distribution. Circulation is limited to members and certain officers of the Assembly and heads of certain government departments. That is the practice, because it is an almost exact verbatim transcript and is uncorrected. It is subject to correction by members and editing by Hansard staff. It often contains inaccuracies and material that is not reproduced in the edited weekly Hansard. Because of this, though members of the public may peruse a copy of the uncorrected proof in the Hansard office, copies are not made available beyond the limited distribution already referred to.
I have brought this matter to the attention of the Assembly as, should it become apparent that unauthorised copies or extracts are continuing to be distributed, it may become necessary to further restrict the distribution of the proof Hansard. In view of the matter raised and the problems that have been experienced, we will in future seek to have all uncorrected proofs of Hansard returned once the weekly Hansard has been published.
ADMINISTRATION AND PROCEDURES - STANDING COMMITTEE
Citizen's Right of Reply Inquiry - Statement by Speaker
MADAM SPEAKER: I inform the Assembly that on 2 December 1992 the Standing Committee on Administration and Procedures resolved to inquire into and report on the issue of a citizen's right of reply and, in particular, to examine the possible application of the Senate's resolution on this issue to the Assembly.
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