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

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 4 Hansard (6 May) . . Page.. 987 ..

MR SPEAKER: Order! Mr Whitecross has the floor.

MR WHITECROSS: Thank you, Mr Speaker. I am sure that if Mrs Carnell thinks she will remember some. Chief Minister, is it not a fact that you and others, such as your Liberal colleague Margaret Reid, your self-appointed vice-president, John Walker, and Bob Winnel - - -

Mrs Carnell: Mr Speaker, you have asked for that to be withdrawn before.

MR WHITECROSS: Mr Speaker, on the point of order: You have not asked for that to be withdrawn. The words "self-appointed vice-president" have been allowed.

MR SPEAKER: In the past I have asked that criticisms and comments relating to Mr Walker be withdrawn. Whether or not it is a title that has been used before, it is not Mr Walker's title. It is not accurate.

MR WHITECROSS: It is his self-described title.

Mr Berry: Allegedly.

MR WHITECROSS: It is his allegedly self-described title - vice-president.

MR SPEAKER: Order! The gentleman is not in a position to defend himself here.

Ms McRae: As quoted in the Canberra Times.

MR WHITECROSS: As reported in the Canberra Times.

MR SPEAKER: The man is not in a position to defend himself here. Would you mind withdrawing.

MR WHITECROSS: Mr Speaker, I cannot understand how you can possibly ask me to withdraw.

MR SPEAKER: I do not think it is a terribly fair comment to make about somebody who cannot defend himself.

MR WHITECROSS: Mrs Carnell was very sensitive about this, Mr Speaker.

Ms McRae: Mr Speaker, on a point of order: I would like you to inform this house in writing as to which standing order you are relying on to protect people. We have privileges; we are entitled to use privileges. I would sincerely like you to leave that ruling be, but give us a ruling in writing as to which standing order you are taking it upon yourself to rely on to limit what we can say in this house. In my opinion, it is something that fits within our privileges; and I would sincerely like you to look at that in careful detail and give us a thorough explanation as to why you have chosen to limit our privileges.

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