Page 35 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 10 February 2015
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4 o’clock to allow us an ease of the peak hour traffic. So that was on 13 January. I think it was quite a quick turnaround. On 14 January, Mr Smyth wrote me a letter saying, “I recently received emails from constituents. Can you tell me what you are doing about the road delays down at Lanyon Road?” The road opened on the 13th. He signed this letter on the 14th. He is in touch with the community! Well done, Brendan!
MADAM SPEAKER: Ms Burch, could you stop—no, keep going. I will deal with it later.
MS BURCH: Through you, I do apologise, Madam Speaker. But emails have come to me stating, “Thank you for implementing measures to improve the traffic congestion. The rest of the week was—” (Extension of time granted.)
MADAM SPEAKER: Before I call you back, Minister Burch, I ask you to refrain from referring to people by their Christian names. They are addressed in this place by their title and their surname. It is interesting that at one stage you referred to Mr Gentleman and Mr Smyth. Andrew Wall went back and referred to somebody else. You seem to call Mr Wall by his Christian name a lot; I draw that to your attention and ask you to desist from it.
Mr Corbell: On the point of order, Madam Speaker—
MADAM SPEAKER: It is not a point of order.
Mr Corbell: A point of order, Madam Speaker.
MADAM SPEAKER: Okay.
Mr Corbell: I accept absolutely the accuracy of your ruling, but I would draw to your attention that Mr Hanson in particular has a habit of frequently referring to members of the government by their Christian names. If that is to be the ruling in this place, I would ask you to remind him also of your ruling.
MADAM SPEAKER: On the point of order, I do not think it was a point of order; I think that was a smart comeback.
Mr Corbell: It was a request for consistency.
MADAM SPEAKER: You will see, Mr Corbell, if you look at the record, that I am utterly consistent on this matter. I call people to order on this matter on a very regular basis. I will reinforce the ruling that I expect that there is one form of address in this place: you refer to people by their title—Mr, Mrs, Ms—and their surname or as the minister. No other form of address is acceptable.
MS BURCH: I will just close on the matters to do with Tharwa Drive. If the Liberals want me to take responsibility for getting a ditch dug, the road closed, the road open in quick time and the delivery of the fire and rescue station for south Tuggeranong, thank you. It is supported by the Tuggeranong Community Council. And let me
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