Page 2457 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 17 June 2009
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MR SPEAKER: Continue with your answer to the question, Mr Stanhope.
Ms Bresnan: Body language?
MR STANHOPE: My body language was a matter of grave concern to the Speaker yesterday. I just thought these were new issues that we take into account in rulings from the chair—the body language of ministers.
MR SPEAKER: Mr Stanhope, you are being irrelevant. Return to the question.
MR STANHOPE: Oh, we are not pursuing body language anymore, Mr Speaker?
MR SPEAKER: Mr Stanhope, would you like to finish?
MR STANHOPE: I had just completed but I was provoked by Ms Le Couteur. The irony and the hypocrisy are, of course, quite divine. The “Lite Greens”, castigating this government for concentrating on transparency and openness, actually willing us—
MR SPEAKER: Sit down, Mr Stanhope.
MR STANHOPE: to pursue a supermarket policy without consultation or evidence.
MR SPEAKER: Mr Stanhope, resume your seat.
Ms Hunter: Mr Speaker, I raise a point of order under section 54 on offensive words. I request that the Chief Minister withdraw his references to the ACT Greens as “Lite Greens”. This is not the name of our party, and I would ask the minister to show respect to the Assembly and the voters of the ACT community by referring to the ACT Greens in the chamber by their correct name.
MR STANHOPE: On the point of order—
MR SPEAKER: Order, Mr Stanhope! Sit down please.
MR STANHOPE: I just wanted to give you the benefit of my perception on this, Mr Speaker.
MR SPEAKER: Members, it is the practice in this place to—
Mr Barr: We should be debating heavier issues.
MR SPEAKER: Order, Mr Barr! It is the practice in this place to refer to other members by their proper title. It is not a formal practice to refer to political parties by their proper name. So whilst I would encourage members to stick to the proper names, the point of order is not upheld. Mr Stanhope?
MR STANHOPE: Mr Speaker, I withdraw the offensive suggestion or imputation. I won’t again in this place refer to the Greens in that way. I apologise for having caused offence.
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