Page 2968 - Week 10 - Tuesday, 16 October 2007
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Mr Corbell: Debate needs to be relevant to the question before the chair. This is a procedural motion and the question before the chair is that standing orders be suspended to enable the vote to be recommitted. It is not about the value or otherwise of Mr Gentleman’s report. It is not about the content of that report. It is about whether or not the vote should be recommitted. That is the question before the chair.
Mr Mulcahy: Mr Deputy Speaker, on the point of order: it is extraordinary for the minister to get up in this place and say that Mr Smyth should not be allowed to address the rationale for his motion because it lacks relevance. This is a most extraordinary interpretation of the standing orders. I urge you to rule against Mr Corbell.
MR DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr Mulcahy. Mr Smyth, I will ask you to resume, but you should talk about the procedural issues around this particular motion.
MR SMYTH: The procedural issues are quite clear. There is a debate before the Assembly. The debate started this morning. It has been interrupted by lunch. It is quite appropriate that, following question time, the MPI and the delivery of papers, we return to it. The vote was called. You called that the majority of people in this place paying attention were in favour of returning to the debate. The vote should stand. This is ridiculous.
MR STANHOPE (Ginninderra–Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Business and Economic Development, Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Minister for the Environment, Water and Climate Change, Minister for the Arts) (5.07): Mr Deputy Speaker, today is a day for executive business. It is now 10 past five. Today is characterised as a day for dealing with executive members’ business.
Mr Smyth: It is headed “Assembly business”.
MR DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order!
MR STANHOPE: It is now 10 past 5.
Mr Smyth: Assembly business.
MR STANHOPE: We are due to adjourn in 50 minutes.
Mr Smyth: Assembly business.
MR STANHOPE: We are yet to get to the first item of executive business. We have yet to address a single item of executive business—
Mr Smyth: How is that relevant to the select committee report?
MR DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order!
MR STANHOPE: on a day dedicated to the business of government.
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