Page 906 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 20 March 2012
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MR SPEAKER: I am afraid I obviously did not hear that as I was in discussion with the Clerk. I think, given the nature of what is going, that we are just going to move on.
Mr Hargreaves: You might like to invite him, Mr Speaker.
MR SPEAKER: Sorry?
Mr Hargreaves: You might like to invite him.
Members interjecting—
Mr Hargreaves: Misbehaviour in the house, Mr Coe. Go and read your standing orders.
Mr Coe interjecting—
MR SPEAKER: Order, members! Order, Mr Hargreaves! Thank you. Resume your seat. Mr Coe, thank you. We are simply going to proceed, as I was seeking advice from the Clerk at the time.
Mr Smyth, my view is that under standing order 213 it is not the Speaker’s remit to decide whether a document is a private note or not. I am therefore reluctant to suddenly be drawn into judging whether this particular document is a private note or not. It is normally a matter for the Assembly. I think that is probably the preferable position at this point. The Assembly can decide whether it accepts the convention listed in the Companion or not.
Mr Smyth: Mr Speaker, will you now ask Dr Bourke to withdraw a comment where he said it was a private note?
MR SPEAKER: I do not believe Dr Bourke’s remark was unparliamentary and I think that is probably the only ground I could ask him to withdraw it on. If Dr Bourke wishes to make a personal explanation, he may and I will give him leave. But otherwise I do not think I have grounds to ask him to withdraw.
Mr Smyth: Fine; he can stand. The ministerial code of conduct says that you must correct it at the first available instance. That is up to the minister.
Fire management unit
Government response to resolution
MR SMYTH (Brindabella): On a different matter, Mr Speaker, on 29 June last year a motion was passed in this place that you amended that called on Mr Corbell to report back to the Assembly before any changes were made to the fire management unit in his department. I was just wondering when we might hear that response in this place.
MS GALLAGHER (Molonglo—Chief Minister, Minister for Health and Minister for Territory and Municipal Services): I believe that probably sits within the TAMS portfolio. I will need to take some advice on it, Mr Smyth, and come back to you.
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