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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 11 Hansard (6 November) . . Page.. 3730 ..

MR SPEAKER: It is not in the province of the Speaker to make that decision.

Mr Humphries: Indeed, Mr Speaker. Since the question was about bond help, a matter for the Chief Minister - - -

Mr Berry: I take a point of order, Mr Speaker. The standing orders make it clear that members of this Assembly can direct questions to the relevant Minister, that is, the Minister who is responsible. If the Minister refuses to answer, that is up to him. No question was directed to Mr Humphries. He is not entitled to answer unless the question is asked of him.

MR SPEAKER: No. It is not up to the Speaker to decide who shall answer questions. If the Minister concerned wishes one of his colleagues to answer, that is perfectly in order, and this happens repeatedly.

Mr Berry: With the greatest respect, Mr Speaker, my understanding is that it is within your authority to ensure that the standing orders are upheld. The standing orders make it clear that members can ask questions of Ministers responsible for particular issues.

MR SPEAKER: Where?

Mr Berry: The Minister can either answer or refuse to answer. He rose to his feet and was attempting to answer it and was pushed off the territory. Let him answer the question.

MR SPEAKER: I will now rule on this. I refer to House of Representatives Practice at page 505, which reads.

A Minister may refuse to answer a question. He or she may also transfer a question to another Minister and it is not in order to question the reason for doing so.

Mr Berry: Mr Speaker, that is my very point. The Minister did not refer it to another Minister. It was taken off him by a Minister - that was the point - because the Minister who did the taking was not satisfied with the answer that was being given. Let the Minister answer the question.

MR STEFANIAK: I can resolve this very quickly. I refer that question, Ms Reilly, to Mr Humphries.

MR HUMPHRIES: Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. If I could be allowed to answer the question - - -

Mr Berry: Mr Speaker, I am glad there is not a standing order requiring Ministers to have the courage of their convictions.

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