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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1995 Week 9 Hansard (23 November) . . Page.. 2506 ..

MR SPEAKER (continuing):

In accordance with the provisions of standing order 180, practice in the Assembly to date and practice elsewhere, the most ready definition of "vote" in the context of Assembly consideration of the Appropriation Bill is a division as listed in Part II of the Schedule to the Bill. Any amendment to decrease the amount of proposed expenditure in a vote or division would be in order, as it would be to oppose a proposed expenditure. To propose an amendment that would increase the amount of a proposed expenditure in a particular division or vote is out of order, even if the total amount to be appropriated by the Bill would remain the same or be decreased. I therefore rule Mr Moore's amendment No. 1 out of order.

MR MOORE: Mr Speaker, I move:

That the Speaker's ruling on the amendment be dissented from.

In doing so, Mr Speaker, allow me to clarify that it is not dissenting from your position as Speaker or you as Speaker, but rather to have the house assess the ruling you have made, so that the ruling is not one of the Speaker but one that is either confirmed or rejected by this house.

MR SPEAKER: Members, there is no provision in Assembly standing orders for a motion of dissent from a ruling of the Chair to be moved without notice. In the past, the Chair has ruled that if a member wished to move a motion of dissent the member would have to seek leave of the Assembly, move a motion to suspend standing orders, or give notice of a motion. I might add that the Assembly has given leave for members to move motions of dissent.

MR MOORE: Mr Speaker, I seek leave to move a motion of dissent in order to allow this Assembly to determine whether it is appropriate to support this ruling or to reject this ruling.

Leave not granted.

MR MOORE: I move:

That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent Mr Moore from moving a motion concerning a dissent from the Speaker's ruling.

Motion (by Mr Kaine) proposed:

That the question be now put.

MR SPEAKER: The question is: That the question be now put. Those of that opinion say aye; of the contrary, no. I think the ayes have it.

Mr Moore: The noes have it.

Members interjected.

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