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

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 14 Hansard (10 December) . . Page.. 4817 ..

MR SPEAKER: Chief Minister, I do not really believe that you need to make any comment in relation to what may have appeared on a television show. You gave an explanation yesterday.

Mr Berry: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I refer you to the uncorrected proof copy of Hansard, which clearly sets out the statement which the Chief Minister made in this place yesterday in relation to this matter. That was a statement to the Assembly and therefore a matter of public record and a matter with which the Chief Minister is publicly associated. Last evening there were reports contrary to the statements made by the Chief Minister and I think the Chief Minister is required to respond to those reports if asked a question in relation to the matter.

MR SPEAKER: There were contrary reports, and there were imputations and inferences; is that correct?

Mr Berry: No, Mr Speaker.

MR SPEAKER: In that case they are out of order under standing order 117.

Mr Berry: Mr Speaker, you are struggling. The imputations, epithets and so on that you speak of are only those which occur in this place. The point that I am making is in relation to a television report of the Chief Minister's activities and therefore could not be ruled out on those grounds. Mr Speaker, I urge you to withdraw in relation to that matter and allow the Chief Minister to answer the question.

MR SPEAKER: I am not in a position to judge the veracity or otherwise of the television report or indeed - - -

Mr Berry: I raise a point of order. Mr Speaker, you are not asked to judge the veracity or otherwise. The Chief Minister has been asked to do that. She has already attached herself to the report in a statement in this place which is on the Hansard record. She ought to be responding to the question to tell this Assembly why the reports outside this place differ from the reports inside it, in order that we can determine that the Chief Minister is - - -

MR SPEAKER: How would she necessarily know what the reports were?

MRS CARNELL: Mr Speaker, I do not believe that this is in line with standing orders, but I am prepared to make a statement.

MR SPEAKER: It is not in line with standing orders.

MRS CARNELL: It is not in line with standing orders; but I am happy to make a statement on the issue if everybody in the house is happy for me to do that, but not answer the question. Mr Speaker, you have ruled the question out of order, but I am happy to make a statement on the issue.

MR SPEAKER: I will confer with the Clerk.

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