Page 683 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 23 March 1993
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MADAM SPEAKER: That is fine. You have the option to not withdraw, Mr Humphries. If that is the case, that is fine. No further action will be taken.
Mr Humphries: You do not propose to let me make the statement, Madam Speaker?
MADAM SPEAKER: Under which standing order do you seek leave, Mr Humphries - standing order 46?
Mr Humphries: No, Madam Speaker, I do not seek leave under any particular standing order. I simply seek the leave of the Assembly to make a statement on the matter that you have just raised in the Assembly.
MADAM SPEAKER: Is leave granted?
Mr Berry: No.
MADAM SPEAKER: No, leave is not granted, Mr Humphries. That is fine, Mr Humphries; you had that option. We will now continue.
MR KAINE (Leader of the Opposition) (9.02): Madam Speaker, I move:
That so much of the standing and temporary orders be suspended as would prevent Mr Humphries from making a statement.
You asked Mr Humphries under what standing order he sought to make an explanation. Perhaps I could ask the same question: Under what standing order did you make a statement on the matter? Surely there must be equality here.
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Kaine, you are the Leader of the Opposition; you must understand the role of the Speaker. I may make statements.
MR KAINE: I understand very well, Madam Speaker. I also understand that Mr Humphries - - -
MADAM SPEAKER: The question is: That the motion be agreed to.
MR MOORE (9.03): Madam Speaker, in making my decision as to whether or not I am prepared to support this motion, I would be interested to hear from Mr Humphries as to whether his statement will include an apology. If his statement will include an apology I am prepared to support the motion. That is the critical factor here.
Question resolved in the affirmative, with the concurrence of an absolute majority.
MR HUMPHRIES (9.04): Thank you, Madam Speaker; thank you, members. Madam Speaker, I have read the House of Representatives Practice passage to which you referred in your statement and the precedents that are contained in that document concerning cases such as the one that you have raised in the Assembly tonight, and I have come to the conclusion that it is open to and even incumbent on the Speaker of the Assembly to take steps to preserve the dignity of the office that you occupy, that being the case even where comments impugning the dignity of that office occur outside this chamber.
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