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

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 10 Hansard (13 October) . . Page.. 3103 ..

MR SPEAKER: Be careful, Mr Osborne, please.

MR OSBORNE: Well, he did.

Mr Moore: The Speaker is referring to standing order 54.

MR SPEAKER: Standing order 54 does not allow criticism of the judiciary.

Mr Wood: You should remove it.

MR SPEAKER: It is entirely up to the Assembly whether it is removed, but at the moment it exists. So I ask you to be aware of it.

MR OSBORNE: I am aware of it, Mr Speaker. That is why I am speaking slower than I normally do. It is very clear to me that the Chief Magistrate chose to ignore the will of the parliament. He chose to ignore legislation that was passed by this Assembly. His actions in relation to this whole matter have left me with a very bitter taste in my mouth. He obviously did not like the fact that we in the Assembly dared to question him.

MR SPEAKER: Mr Osborne, I must remind you - this is not my decision - that standing order 54 does not allow you to attack the judiciary. You may rephrase your comments and talk about "the court's action" - and I am referring here to House of Representatives Practice - but please do not talk about individuals.

MR OSBORNE: Mr Speaker, from now on I will say "the court" but I mean "Mr Cahill".

MR SPEAKER: I do not want to know that.

MR OSBORNE: I will say "the court" but I mean - - -

MR SPEAKER: No, you cannot do that. You must refer to the courts.

MR OSBORNE: Okay. I will say "the court", then.

MR SPEAKER: Okay.

MR OSBORNE: Everyone knows what I mean, Mr Speaker, but I will say "the court". The court has handled this whole affair disgracefully, and it makes me very disappointed that we are forced - - -

Ms Tucker: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I draw the attention of members to page 480 of House of Representatives Practice, which states:

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