Page 369 - Week 02 - Tuesday, 23 February 1993
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Madam Speaker, I would ask you to consider the argument that this Bill was introduced in the Assembly last Tuesday, by leave of the Assembly, and that it is, under that standing order, being brought on for debate during the same sitting. I understand, Madam Speaker, that there would be some argument as to what the term "sitting" means in the context of that standing order, and I direct you - - -
Mr Moore: As opposed to a sitting session.
Mr Humphries: It means this session?
Mr Moore: No, I am not interpreting; that is the Speaker's job.
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Humphries, I am sorry; I do not understand. I have not yet put the question.
Mr Humphries: It may well be, Madam Speaker, that we should not be considering the question at all; that we should not be debating this matter at all today. The matter has been brought on for debate - - -
MADAM SPEAKER: No, I am sorry, Mr Humphries. What I do not understand is this: It says, "The question 'That this bill be agreed to in principle' shall not be determined ...". I have not yet put the question.
Mr Humphries: No, Madam Speaker, but we are proceeding to debate that question now. It has not been put yet; we are going to proceed to debate it now. I would argue that it should not be debated because at the end of that debate, presumably, you will be putting the question "That the Bill be agreed to in principle". Since, I would argue, under the standing order you are not entitled to put that question today, we ought therefore not to be debating this Bill at all today.
MADAM SPEAKER: It does not sound right to me, Mr Humphries, but I will speak to my Clerk. I believe that it is the wish of the Assembly to suspend the sitting.
Mr Humphries: No. We are in the middle of a matter, Madam Speaker.
MADAM SPEAKER: I understand that, Mr Humphries; I am worrying about it. I believe that I heard that it is the wish of the Assembly to now suspend for dinner.
Mr Humphries: No, it is the wish of Mr Lamont, not of the rest of us.
MADAM SPEAKER: Fine; that is okay. Mr Humphries, to pursue this point of order properly, I would like to clarify with you the nub of your concern. Are you concerned with the definition of a sitting, or whether I am or am not putting the question?
Mr Humphries: Madam Speaker, I would certainly argue that a sitting would include, at the very least, this sitting fortnight, and therefore that you should not be putting this - - -
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