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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1995 Week 11 Hansard (12 December) . . Page.. 2852 ..

Ms Follett: What does that mean?

Ms McRae: That you cannot have personal explanations? That is nonsense.

MR SPEAKER: So that I can then make a decision on this issue.

Ms McRae: That is just rubbish.

MR SPEAKER: That may be rubbish. Resume your seat.

Ms Follett: May I get up again?

MR SPEAKER: I will examine the Hansard and advise the Assembly what the situation is. We are clearly in a situation where we are arguing as to whether the Leader of the Opposition has been misrepresented or not. As to whether it is standing order 46 or standing order 47, I will have to examine the Hansard in order to resolve this monumental issue. Now, can we proceed with what is before the Assembly? Ms Follett, are you rising on a point of order?

MS FOLLETT (Leader of the Opposition): I seek leave to make an explanation under standing order 47.

MR SPEAKER: Proceed.

MS FOLLETT: Mr Speaker, the purpose of my rising on this occasion was to address a matter of whether or not part-time employment is provided for under the Chief Minister's legislation. In my speech on my amendment I said that it was not.

Mr Humphries: Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I would ask the member to resume her seat when I have risen on a point of order. Mr Speaker, clearly, what Ms Follett is trying to do is describe what she believes is some misdescription on the part of the Chief Minister in her remarks before the Assembly. It in no way constitutes an explanation of how some material part of her speech - that is, Ms Follett's speech - has been misquoted or misunderstood, and therefore, Mr Speaker, she ought not be able to use standing order 47. You have also ruled, I thought, that this matter would be taken on board by you.

MR SPEAKER: Yes, indeed, I have.

Mr Humphries: I therefore think that to press the point on her part is unreasonable.

Mr Berry: May I speak to that point of order, Mr Speaker? Mr Speaker, the Minister rose at the time when Ms Follett had just mentioned the statement that she had made in her speech which had been misquoted or misunderstood and about which she was trying to make an explanation pursuant to standing order 47. Mr Speaker, I think Mr Humphries is being mischievous here. I think Ms Follett has rightly interpreted the use of the standing order and should be allowed to proceed.

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