Page 1707 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 1 April 2009
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER: There seems to be a dispute about that so I—
MR SMYTH: If we could stop the clock, please?
MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER: Yes, I will stop the clock first.
Mr Corbell: The simplest thing is for Mr Smyth to say if any offence has been taken he withdraws the inference, rather than play these childish games.
MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER: First, of all we will deal with my ruling, Mr Corbell. I call on you to withdraw the term “gutless”, which you used twice.
Mr Corbell: And I did.
MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER: Mr Smyth, if you—
MR SMYTH: I am happy to withdraw, Madam Assistant Speaker.
MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER: Thank you. Start the clock, please.
MR SMYTH: It is interesting to go to House of Representatives Practice, which governs this place. It says, on page 313, under “Motions”:
The House has the power, within constitutional limits, to make a determination on any question it wishes to raise, to make any order, or to agree to any resolution.
It goes on to say:
In the conduct of its own affairs …
Mr Corbell: Read the rest of it.
MR SMYTH: No, wait until the next line, Mr Corbell.
Mr Corbell: Read the rest of it.
MR SMYTH: You are always so anxious to get in first. I continue:
In the conduct of its own affairs the House is responsible only to itself.
In this matter the house is calling the government to order for its ineffective approach to this problem. It goes on to say, and we accept what follows:
However, the effect of such orders and resolutions of the House on others outside the House may be a limited one.
Mr Corbell: Including the executive.
MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER: Do not interject, Mr Corbell.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .