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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 9 Hansard (3 September) . . Page.. 2838 ..

Mr Whitecross: On a point of order, Mr Speaker: This is fascinating, but I am just wondering on what basis the Minister is doing this. I thought that he was giving further information in relation to a question. He does not appear to be giving further information in relation to a question at all.

MR SPEAKER: First of all, you accused the Minister of misleading the house - - -

Mr Whitecross: With respect, I did not. I withdrew that.

MR SPEAKER: Just a moment - which you then withdrew. Mr Humphries, as Minister, said that he would substantiate the claims that he had made. That is what he is doing at the moment.

Mr Whitecross: Mr Speaker, the Minister has now confirmed that he was wrong; that it was not my first question in question time. It seems to me that that puts the matter at an end. That was the basis of the original thing. He has now said that it was not.

MR SPEAKER: There is no point of order. Mr Humphries began by talking about a media release. He has not yet indicated that it is related only to a media release. It may very well be related to something else as well.

Ms McRae: Mr Speaker, with the greatest of respect, he is raising an issue that was not part of Mr Whitecross's question. He is raising a completely new issue. If he wishes to table somebody else's press release, he may do that; but I cannot understand under what standing order he may read out something completely extraneous to the question that was being asked.

MR SPEAKER: Mr Humphries indicated to the house that he would demonstrate the veracity of his comments. He is simply doing that. Otherwise, if he does not do it, he is then going to be attacked tomorrow for misleading the house.

Mr Berry: On a point of order, Mr Speaker: Re-creating history is not something that ought to come from the Chair.

MR SPEAKER: Be careful.

Mr Berry: The accusation that Mr Humphries misled the house was withdrawn, Mr Speaker. So, let us get that point clear.

MR SPEAKER: Yes, that is correct.

Mr Berry: The second issue is that, if Mr Humphries has said that he will later inform the house further on a matter, it is a matter of his seeking leave to do so; and, if leave is not granted, then he will have to suspend standing orders in order to enable him to do so.

MR SPEAKER: On the contrary - - -

Mr Berry: Otherwise, he can do what other members are entitled to do, and that is to move a motion.

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