Page 1464 - Week 06 - Thursday, 2 July 2020
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Mr Parton may not be aware, but in 2016 my predecessor as Speaker had cause to write to another member in relation to the use of his office to promote his party election policies. He was written to by the former Speaker. The Clerk also wrote to the relevant party secretary to ask him to remove the videos filmed in the member’s office from the social media platform that they were circulating on; the party secretary complied with that request and removed the offending video.
In a later post entitled “Don’t destroy democracy”, Mr Parton said that he had received what he described as a “heavy email from the Speaker” which he also said was very clearly directed at him. He went on to question the objective of the guidelines by suggesting that to breach them would “destroy democracy or something”.
The implication in the second video is that I am opposed in some way to democracy and that I am not being impartial in my duties by singling out Mr Parton. The Assembly’s Companion to the standing orders provides numerous reminders that the Speaker’s actions can only be criticised by way of a substantive motion, and gives a number of examples where members have criticised the chair outside the chamber in the media and have been asked to withdraw any reflection or make an apology.
I remind members that there is an election due in October of this year, and there may be over 100 candidates seeking to be elected to this place. None of those candidates will be able to use the Assembly facilities to further their election campaign. I also remind members that one of the responsibilities of the Assembly’s Speaker is to ensure that guidelines that this Assembly has agreed to are adhered to. If members do not agree with the guidelines, there are ways, such as a review of the standing orders through the Standing Committee on Administration and Procedure, to amend guidelines if the members think they are not fit for purpose.
I consider that the latest post by Mr Parton implies that I, as Speaker, am destroying democracy, when in fact I am only applying the guidelines that this Assembly has agreed to. Accordingly, I ask Mr Parton to withdraw any imputation that I am trying to destroy democracy or any reflection on the impartiality of the Speaker. I also ask Mr Parton to delete the videos that breach the Assembly guidelines and that criticise the actions of the chair. Mr Parton, I call on you to withdraw.
MR PARTON (Brindabella) (10.36): I withdraw.
MADAM SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr Parton. And you will remove the videos from your social media?
MR PARTON: I will seek advice on that, Madam Speaker.
MADAM SPEAKER: It is a direction, Mr Parton. You will remove the offending videos.
MR PARTON: I will seek advice on that, Madam Speaker.
MADAM SPEAKER: When you seek that advice, you will inform us and we will take further action if required.
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