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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 10 Hansard (13 October) . . Page.. 3064 ..

MR SPEAKER: That is correct.

MS CARNELL: Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I understand totally why those opposite would like to not allow this question to go ahead. Whenever a member makes a serious allegation about an individual or an organisation in this chamber, or indeed out there in the media, he or she must be accountable for the accuracy of those claims. After all, parliamentary privilege affords a member a level of protection that is not available - - -

Mr Berry: Mr Speaker, I raise a point of order. Accountability is usually judged by a substantive motion. If the Chief Minister wishes to move a substantive motion - - -

MR SPEAKER: I am watching this very carefully, Mr Berry.

MS CARNELL: Mr Speaker, after all, parliamentary privilege affords a member - - -

Mr Berry: Mr Speaker, I should draw your attention to the fact that you are responsible under the standing orders for the accountability of members, not the Chief Minister.

MR SPEAKER: Yes, I appreciate that, and I am watching this matter very, very carefully.

MS CARNELL: Mr Speaker, there is a standing order about behaviour in this house - - -

MR SPEAKER: Indeed there is; standing order 202.

MS CARNELL: Mr Berry would have to be extremely close to the wind. Mr Speaker, after all, parliamentary privilege does afford a member a level of protection that is not available to - - -

Mr Berry: Mr Speaker, I want to persist with this point of order.

MR SPEAKER: You are getting very close, Mr Berry.

Mr Berry: No, Mr Speaker. I have raised a point of order about the responsibilities of the Chief Minister, and one of them is not parliamentary privilege. Neither is it the responsibility - - -

MR SPEAKER: There is no point of order, Mr Berry. I must say that, under standing order 202(a), a member who has persistently and wilfully obstructed the business of the Assembly - - -

Mr Berry: I am not, Mr Speaker; I am raising points of order. I have the right to take a point of order at any time and as many times as I wish.

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