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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 1 Hansard (22 February) . . Page.. 154 ..

Mr Kaine: You are joking.

Mr Humphries: That is a gross exaggeration.

Mr Moore: You just said that you were not making an accusatory comment. That is an accusatory comment.

MS McRAE: That was the clear impression that was given yesterday and it is now open for people to take that as they wish. The impression was created that with a little bit of noise in support of the Leader of the Opposition, hey presto, we do not need to work. I think there needs to be a good look at that as well, and whether in fact, when the standing order is applied, it can be done with or without the leave of the Assembly.

This is our Assembly for 17 members. The Speaker works at our will, the majority will of the Assembly. A good look at the standing order is required for circumstances where the general public is disruptive, not the members. It is quite clear that the Speaker has the overriding right if there is grave disorder among the members. If he or she cannot control the house it is quite clear in my head that the Speaker has the right. Where it becomes quite grey is when the general public gets involved in our proceedings. The impression is given that our standing orders mean that with a bit of noise in the general gallery, hey presto, that is the end of the morning's work.

Mr Humphries: That is a gross exaggeration.

Mr De Domenico: That is a gross exaggeration - "a bit of noise".

Mrs Carnell: It was not a bit of noise.

MS McRAE: I am talking about a general impression.

Mr Berry: No more noise than you people make when you are interjecting.

MS McRAE: In my head it was no more noise.

MR SPEAKER: Order! Ms McRae has the floor.

Mr Hird: You crossed the picket line this morning, Mr Berry. You are a member of the union.

MR SPEAKER: Order!

MS McRAE: I am talking about general impressions. I am talking about - - -

Ms Follett: I think you had better close it down, Mr Speaker.

MR SPEAKER: I may have to clear somebody out.

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