Page 5364 - Week 14 - Thursday, 30 November 2017
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MADAM SPEAKER: Point of order. Can you resume your seat, Ms Lawder.
Ms Stephen-Smith: Sorry, Madam Speaker, but there is a requirement in this place that speakers face you when they are speaking.
Mrs Dunne: No; they address the Speaker, actually.
Ms Stephen-Smith: Sorry?
Mrs Dunne: They address the Speaker.
Ms Stephen-Smith: They address the Speaker. I was waiting to see if Ms Lawder was going to turn around, but she has been addressing the gallery for quite some time.
MS LAWDER: That is a different thing, actually.
MADAM SPEAKER: Ms Lawder, it is the convention that you address the Speaker and focus on the members and the Speaker in the house rather than the gallery. I just ask you to be mindful of that.
MS LAWDER: Thank you, Madam Speaker, and thank you, Ms Stephen-Smith, for pointing out the difference between addressing the Speaker and facing the Speaker. I am not sure if she needs a dictionary, but we shall continue nevertheless.
Mrs Dunne interjecting—
MS LAWDER: Yes, that is fine. The fact remains that what we are talking about here is the need for the overarching approach.
In addressing the members here, I would like to point out that most often I am actually addressing Ms Le Couteur, who has played an important role in the motion that we brought to the Assembly last month. I am sorry if it—
MADAM SPEAKER: Ms Lawder, please. I ask you to be—
MS LAWDER: Are you telling me what I am allowed to say in my speech, Madam Speaker?
MADAM SPEAKER: No, I am not; I am just asking you to be mindful of the words that I have just said to you about—
MS LAWDER: Are you telling me I have to face you?
MADAM SPEAKER: Ms Lawder, no I am not. I am not telling you that.
MS LAWDER: What are you saying exactly, Madam Speaker?
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