Page 791 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 20 March 2019
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Wednesday, 20 March 2019
MADAM SPEAKER (Ms J Burch) took the chair at 10 am, made a formal recognition that the Assembly was meeting on the lands of the traditional custodians, and asked members to stand in silence and pray or reflect on their responsibilities to the people of the Australian Capital Territory.
Reference to members
Statement by Speaker
MADAM SPEAKER: Members, Mrs Dunne yesterday after question time raised a point of order concerning what sanctions are available for members who persistently call a member by a particular name. I remind members that standing orders 54 and 55 state:
Offensive words
54. A Member may not use offensive words against the Assembly or any Member thereof or against any member of the judiciary.
Personal reflections
55. All imputations of improper motives and all personal reflections on Members shall be considered highly disorderly.
Standing order 56 provides:
When the attention of the Speaker is drawn to words used, the Speaker shall determine whether or not they are offensive or disorderly.
I also remind members that the companion states:
Until the Assembly otherwise directs, Members should not use the Member’s Christian name, given name or versions thereof when referring to another Member. A Member may refer to a Member by title, such as Minister, Chief Minister, or Leader of the Opposition, or may use the prefix Mr, Mrs or Ms. Where a Member is entitled to use a substantive military, academic or professional title, this title will be used if the Member so wishes. A Member may also be referred to as the Member for his or her electorate.
That is somewhat difficult in a multi-member electorate.
I ask that members bear in mind both the standing orders and the extract from the companion that I read out in referring to all other MLAs. Of course, members will, in the cut and thrust of debate, criticise other members, but this must be done in an orderly way. A continual breach of this standing order or practice, if it is continually abused, may require the chair to issue a warning.
Crimes (Anti-Consorting) Amendment Bill 2019
Debate resumed from 20 February 2019, on motion by Mr Hanson:
That this bill be agreed to in principle.
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