Page 762 - Week 02 - Thursday, 10 March 2011
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MS HUNTER (Ginninderra—Parliamentary Convenor, ACT Greens) (3.11): I think that a lot of what Mr Hargreaves said made a lot of sense. We have got to go back to what actually happened about 30 minutes ago. Mrs Dunne has moved dissent from one of your rulings, Mr Speaker. That ruling was based on standing order 39. It states that when a member is speaking no other member may converse or make any noise or disturbance to interrupt that member.
You had been quite clear. You had said to Mr Doszpot quite clearly and to others that you expected that interruptions, calling across the chamber and so forth would not be tolerated. Mr Speaker, you were consistent. You followed through. That is why Mr Doszpot then had a warning.
I follow on from Mr Hargreaves’s comments. He is quite correct. There is not a warning system in the standing orders. Warnings are a courtesy. They are a courtesy. The Speaker can eject someone from the house by naming them. Mr Speaker, you have adopted a warning system. I do not believe that any of my fellow MLAs at this point have been warned but certainly the warning system has applied to others in this place.
I believe that you have always behaved fairly. You are not partisan in your role as Speaker. The Greens certainly do have confidence. I have confidence in your ability to fulfil your role and functions. I believe that you have done a very, very good job in the two years and you certainly will continue to have our support and confidence in your role as Speaker.
MR SMYTH (Brindabella) (3.13): I note at the outset the piousness of most of the speakers in this place. This place is a parliament. It is a place of cut and thrust. The unctuous words that are being muttered do not reflect the practice of any parliament anywhere in this world. They do not reflect the practice of this parliament over the last 22 years. So get off your high horses.
What we asked for, Mr Speaker, was fairness. All we asked for is consistency. I will go to the case of Mr Doszpot. Mr Doszpot yesterday, at the first utterance of the word “grub” back across the chamber, was warned. Now, for the last two and a bit years that you have been here, the Chief Minister has used “grub” consistently and he has never been warned. That is the problem, Mr Speaker—
Mr Stanhope: Point of order, Mr Speaker.
MR SMYTH: The application of the word—
MR SPEAKER: Order! One minute, Mr Smyth, thank you. Yes, Chief Minister.
Mr Stanhope: Just to correct the record. Actually, both Mrs Dunne and Mr Smyth have now alleged that I have never been warned. Indeed, you warned me yesterday. So—
Opposition members interjecting—
MR SPEAKER: Is there a point of order, Chief Minister?
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