Page 810 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 21 March 2017
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Gentleman pointed out, made the decision in relation to the matter of public importance as a topic, it will proceed.
Mr Wall: On a point of order, Madam Assistant Speaker, specifically the companion does state that the matter needs to be within the scope of ministerial action. If not now, perhaps if the Speaker could return and explain where in the administrative orders this fits within ministerial responsibility.
MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER: Mr Gentleman, perhaps either you or the Chief Minister could outline, in accordance with section 15.9 of the companion, the ministerial responsibility.
Mr Gentleman: Madam Assistant Speaker, the argument is moot. The Speaker has already made that decision.
MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER: I understand, but the point of order has been raised.
Mrs Dunne: On the point of order, the Speaker may make a decision that something is in order. The Speaker may not have actually exercised her mind on the question of whether or not the issue was in order. It is certainly within order for a member of this place to raise a point of order, and it has been raised in the past, for the Speaker to rule on. As this is a task set down for the Speaker and not the person presiding, it may be that the Speaker needs to come back into the chair and make a ruling on this. Mr Wall has raised a significant question, and I think that Mr Gentleman just saying that the issue is moot does not actually answer the question.
MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER: The Speaker is now available.
MADAM SPEAKER: Thank you, members. As I understand it, it is a question over the MPI being in order, and I have ruled it in order. There is a minister for industrial relations. The matter does go to income security and shift and weekend work. I have deemed it in order.
Mr Wall, before you stand again, it is probably a timely reminder that in February there was an MPI on the lunar new year, and there was a question mark on that as well, which I spoke to the whips about. I have deemed this to be in order under the ministerial responsibility of industrial relations, but I think it is worthwhile noting from this discussion that both whips and the manager of government business should be very mindful of the standing orders. Members should craft their words so that this sort of discussion and question is limited in future.
Mr Gentleman: Madam Speaker, if I could add to the comment in regard to the point of order raised by Mr Wall: the Assistant Speaker, in your absence, has already ruled on this point of order. It has been raised again.
MADAM SPEAKER: Thank you.
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