Page 1290 - Week 04 - Thursday, 8 May 2014
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Mr Smyth has not been going to the substance of the amendments he is considering. He has not talked about that at all. He is simply talking about why we should be considering these amendments and why leave should be given to do so. He has been entirely relevant to the debate, Madam Deputy Speaker.
Mr Corbell: On the point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker, what Mr Hanson thinks is relevant or not is not for consideration. The fact is that you, Madam Deputy Speaker, have already ruled that Mr Smyth was not being relevant. He has ignored your ruling and he needs to come back to being relevant to the question before the chair.
MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr Corbell. I uphold Mr Corbell’s initial point of order. I would like you to remain relevant to the subject matter of the suspension of standing orders, Mr Smyth.
MR SMYTH: The reason I have for the suspension of standing orders is about gaining leave. I am discussing examples of where leave has been granted or not been granted to make my case. I have not gone to the substance of the amendments, as is appropriate. So I would simply contend that I am entirely within the—I accept your ruling.
The majority of times in this place the opposition grants leave. Anybody who wants to go back and check the record will know that we do that, because we think members should have an opportunity to discuss things. Very rarely do we seek leave, and in this case I have already apologised. Yes, they were late; I do apologise. Members, let me apologise again if I have not been clear enough: my apologies. I can say it louder; I can say it softer; I can say it quicker; I can say it slower. I apologise. Yes, I did not get the amendments in on time.
But the thing is we can either use the amendments to improve the bill, and they will go down on their merits, or we can have the churlish behaviour that the manager of government business so often takes now when he does not get his own way. It is important that we get things right, and sometimes it takes a little bit longer. The undue haste in which many bills are brought on in this place now by a government that really is lacking an agenda and lacking priorities, as we heard yesterday, means that sometimes we have to allow leave. (Time expired.)
MR CORBELL (Molonglo—Attorney-General, Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for Workplace Safety and Industrial Relations and Minister for the Environment and Sustainable Development) (11.55): It is pleasing to me that Mr Smyth’s lack of sincerity is now on the public record in relation to this matter. He adopts an inconsistent approach. He expects the government to grant him leave, but he is not prepared to extend the same courtesies to the government.
Mr Smyth: On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker—
MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: Would you resume your seat, Mr Corbell. Stop the clock. What is the point of order, Mr Smyth?
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