Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

None . . Page.. 713 ..

Mr Berry's amendment seeks to remove the prayer and substitute these words:

Members, at the beginning of this sitting of the Assembly, I would ask you to stand in silence and pray or reflect on our responsibilities to the people of the Australian Capital Territory.

The word “Prayer” in the first two lines is inappropriate for that reason. I think it would make more sense, if this goes through, if it read, “Upon the Speaker taking the Chair at the commencement of each sitting, and a quorum of Members being present, the following shall be read”. That simply makes more sense. I think there was an oversight and I picked it up on my final check, as I am wont to do. Madam Deputy Speaker, I will move the amendment circulated in my name, as follows:

Omit the words “shall be read”, substitute the word “following”.

Mr Whitecross: It does not take out the word “Prayer”. It does not take out the word you are trying to take out.

MR MOORE: We cannot do that because I am moving an amendment to Mr Berry's amendment, rather than starting a whole new amendment. I would suggest to members that the effect is exactly the same. If you read the amendment and double-check that, I do believe that it is exactly the same. In Mr Berry's motion we take out the words “shall be read” and we substitute “following” - - -

Mr Stefaniak: That does not make sense, Michael.

MR MOORE: Delete all words after “following”, and delete the words “shall be read”. I may not have it quite right.

MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: We are still not quite right here.

MR MOORE: I think, Madam Deputy Speaker, that is correct. I think I do have to modify my amendment somewhat.

MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: I think we all understand your intent, Mr Moore. It is just a matter of getting the words right.

MR MOORE: The difficulty, Madam Deputy Speaker, is that I was attempting to modify Mr Berry's motion rather than amend the standing order, which would have been much simpler.

MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: Mr Moore, perhaps we should just note that the intent of your amendment is understood.

MR MOORE: Madam Deputy Speaker, so that members understand exactly what I am trying to do, perhaps I should simply move to delete the word “Prayer” in the first two lines.

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .