Page 792 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 27 February 2013
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Mr Coe: A point of order. I wonder whether the journey of an individual is directly relevant to the motion on the notice paper.
MADAM SPEAKER: I will keep your point of order in mind, Mr Coe, but I think with probably half a sentence issued I cannot actually make an assessment. I will keep a weather ear out for it, Mr Coe.
MR BARR: I will talk about the journey of an individual and the things that people say in this place. It is interesting that the new Leader of the Opposition moves a motion railing against progressive policy, progressiveness and sustainability. And yet I go back to that member’s inaugural speech in this place, where he outlined his vision for the future of a vibrant, progressive and sustainable city. On 9 December 2008—
Mr Coe: A point of order, Madam Speaker. I do ask whether it is relevant for the Deputy Chief Minister to be going down this track when really it is not related to item 1 on the notice paper.
Mr Corbell: On the point of order.
MADAM SPEAKER: On the point of order, Mr Corbell.
Mr Corbell: Madam Speaker, as I am sure you appreciate, this is a debate, and debates involve debating points, including contrasting what the proposer of a resolution says in that resolution and what his actions may otherwise indicate. There is nothing disorderly about that.
MADAM SPEAKER: It just so happens that as I had half an ear on this debate I was reading page 164 of the Companion to the standing orders, on relevancy, where it says:
The fundamental rule on the content of speeches, and that which underpins … debate, is the relevancy rule.
It points to what standing order 58 says about relevancy:
… a Member may not digress from the subject matter … under question.
I do take the point that Mr Corbell makes that there is some latitude in debating, but I would that ask Mr Barr, while he has some latitude in debating points, and we are a place where speechifying is our stock in trade, does keep in mind the content of the motion, which covers a range of things—not just the words “progressive” or “green” but issues like costs and calls on people to address the costs. Keep that in mind and get to the point of the motion, and all of the motion, not just one word.
MR BARR: Thank you, Madam Speaker. The first two dot points of the motion refer to progressive government. If I am not allowed to discuss progressive government and people’s views on that then—
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