Page 905 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 20 March 2012
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MR SMYTH (Brindabella): Thank you for that, Mr Speaker. It is important that you did not read the next line or the next paragraph. Mr Stefaniak, in making the defence—
Mr Barr: Is this a debate?
MR SMYTH: No, I am asking for a ruling. It goes:
This is a speaking note prepared for Mr Stefaniak in his office and he has read it in full.
This clearly was not a speaking note prepared in the minister’s office. Indeed, the next paragraph goes on:
Members accepted in principle the distinctions … However, in this particular instance it was argued that the document quoted from was a ministerial statement, not speaking notes, and, as such, that the Assembly insisted that it be tabled.
You might like to go away and ruminate on what a private note is, Mr Speaker. But Dr Bourke’s first defence in not tabling this was that it was private notes.
MR SPEAKER: Mr Smyth, are you asking me to rule on a specific document?
MR SMYTH: I am asking you now would you ask him to apologise to the Assembly for making that misleading statement because it is clearly not prepared—
Mr Barr interjecting—
MR SPEAKER: Order! I am listening to Mr Smyth. Are you actually asking me to rule on a specific document, Mr Smyth?
MR SMYTH: I am asking you to ask the minister to withdraw his first statement when he said it was a private note. This is a document prepared in the department. Therefore, it is clearly not a private note.
Members interjecting—
MR SPEAKER: Just one moment, please, members. I am going to seek some advice.
Mr Doszpot interjecting—
Mr Hargreaves: Point of order, Mr Speaker.
MR SPEAKER: Yes, Mr Hargreaves, what is your point of order?
Mr Hargreaves: My point of order is that Mr Doszpot now accused the Attorney-General of misleading the chamber and I would ask him to withdraw it.
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