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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 9 Hansard (4 September) . . Page.. 2949 ..

MR WHITECROSS: Mr Temporary Deputy Speaker, I think you are mistaken in relation to that. In fact, as you will recall, you ruled against Mr Humphries on his point of order. I am not reflecting on your ruling at all. You ruled - - -

MR TEMPORARY DEPUTY SPEAKER: You used the word "continuously".

MR WHITECROSS: You ruled against Mr Humphries, which I think proves the point that Mr Humphries's point of order was not a particularly serious one.

Mr Humphries: Mr Temporary Deputy Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I think it is unparliamentary to describe members as taking frivolous points of order for the sake of delaying other members' capacity to speak. I took the point very seriously. It was, I would argue, a quite reasonable point. I think, with respect, you took some time to consider whether it ought to be - - -

MR WHITECROSS: On a point of order, Mr Temporary Deputy Speaker - - -

MR TEMPORARY DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! There is one point of order I am dealing with. Resume your seat.

MR WHITECROSS: Mr Humphries is debating the matter. It is not a point of order.

MR TEMPORARY DEPUTY SPEAKER: Resume your seat, Mr Whitecross.

Mr Humphries: I took one point of order, Ms Tucker took a point of order and Mr Whitecross took a point of order. More time was taken by those last two points of order or by comments on those points of order than was taken by me out of Mr Corbell's time to speak on this matter.

MR WHITECROSS: Mr Temporary Deputy Speaker, that was debating the question. That was not actually a point of order. The simple fact is that this house will not function properly unless courtesies are applied equally on all sides. Mr Corbell was interrupted in his speech and Ms Tucker was interrupted in her speech by the Minister trying to take up their time on points of order which you ruled against.

MR TEMPORARY DEPUTY SPEAKER: One point of order.

MR WHITECROSS: The other point of order was not ruled on, but you subsequently confirmed that it was out of order. I think that under these circumstances it is completely appropriate for Mr Corbell to get an extension of time to complete his remarks on what I regard, and I am sure most people in the community regard, as an important issue - namely, "The need for the ACT Government to increase action to reduce the ACT's greenhouse gas emissions". If Mr Corbell thinks that includes lobbying the Federal Government, then he is entitled to his opinion.

Ms Tucker: I also believe Mr Corbell should be granted an extension of time, even if it is the convention that this is not usually done. There is obviously not a queue of people wanting to talk on this issue. It is incredibly important - - -

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