Page 958 - Week 03 - Thursday, 21 March 2019
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Sitting suspended from 12.21 to 2 pm.
Unparliamentary language
Statement by Speaker
MADAM SPEAKER: Just before we broke for lunch, I said I would go and reflect on language used by Mr Hanson. He used the words “but is in reality the biggest con ever perpetrated on the people of the ACT”. Later he said “Ms Fitzharris was out there front and centre conning people of the ACT”.
The Macquarie Dictionary defines “con” as “a confidence trick; swindle”. The word “conned” is “to swindle, defraud or to deceive”.
House of Representatives Practice—
Mr Hanson interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Hanson, I would suggest you be quiet. House of Representatives Practice, the seventh edition, notes at page 515:
Although a charge or reflection upon the character or conduct of a Member may be made by substantive motion, in expressing that charge or reflection a member may not use unparliamentary words.
I have considered this matter and I am not at this point going to rule those words out of order, but I will remind all members to be careful in their choice of words in debate and also remember that they may be ruled out of order and be considered unparliamentary at a future date.
Mr Coe: Madam Speaker, on the point of order I would note that to say someone is a con artist or a confidence trickster would be very similar to saying someone is a snake oil salesman.
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Coe, that was not a point of order; that was a statement that I said I would come back on.
Questions without notice
Taxation—reform
MR COE: My question is for the Treasurer. The Canberra Liberals raised concerns about intended and unintended consequences regarding your changes contained in the Land Tax Amendment Bill 2018. These changes have meant that purchasers of off-the-plan apartments are liable for a quarter of land tax in almost every instance. This tax is grossly unfair and puts further strain on the property market, including the cost or rent. Treasurer, why have you not yet introduced legislation to fix this problem?
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