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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 7 Hansard (4 June) . . Page.. 1894 ..

MR SMYTH (continuing):

As remarks must be addressed to the Chair, it is not in order for a Member to turn his or her back to the Chair and address party colleagues. A Member should not address the listening public while the proceedings of the House are being broadcast.

It comes to my memory that, when I pointed this out to the Chief Minister this afternoon, he laughed and I think he called me a "bloody simpleton". I will, of course, consult the Hansard. I might bring it to your attention tomorrow for a ruling as to whether or not that is parliamentary language and whether you would rule it out of order.

I think the Chief Minister should come down and admit that (1) he was wrong and (2) he is not across his processes as well he should be. The lack of regard for the chair that he has shown-not just in this Assembly but also in the last Assembly-in consistently standing with his back to the chair is a sign of disrespect to the public. The Chief Minister might like to apologise, withdraw his comment and reform his wayward ways.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

The Assembly adjourned at 6.35 pm.

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