Parliamentary Procedure

STANDING ORDERS SUSPENSION

The Hon. J.R. RAU (Enfield—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Planning, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Business Services and Consumers) (11:04): I move:

That standing and sessional orders be and remain so far suspended as to enable Private Members Business—Bills, Orders of the Day Nos. 20 and 22, set down for Thursday 14 November, to be taken into consideration forthwith as items of Government Business.

The SPEAKER: You need an absolute majority present. There not being an absolute majority present, ring the bells.

A quorum having been formed:

Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (11:06): My understanding is that a motion has been put and seconded to deal with these items that are currently listed in private members' time.

The SPEAKER: Correct.

Ms CHAPMAN: On inquiry, my understanding is that they are being presented here in government time, which is of no consequence to us, but I would seek some clarification on why they are being transferred across, who intends to move these bills which are already on the Notice Paper in private members' time (I think they are Nos. 20 and 22), and what process is to occur for the deletion and transfer. I can only assume that, as the Attorney-General is present, he will actually be moving these bills because the original proposed mover—

The SPEAKER: Well, they stand in the name of the member for Fisher.

Ms CHAPMAN: Indeed—and he does not know anything about it.

The SPEAKER: I am sure the member for Fisher can speak for himself on that point. Member for Fisher.

The Hon. R.B. SUCH (Fisher) (11:07): I am a little puzzled, too, at how these have undergone a transformation. I am putting them on behalf of the honourable member in another place (Mr Mark Parnell), and I now simply endorse the bill that has been drafted and sent down by the Hon. Mark Parnell.

Ms CHAPMAN: Point of order: I think the member, with respect, is starting to present his argument for the support of a bill. I am speaking on the motion that is before the house.

The SPEAKER: Yes, the motion is a motion for suspension. The member for Bragg is right.

Ms CHAPMAN: Thank you, sir.

The SPEAKER: Does the member for Fisher have anything to add on that score—the suspension of standing orders to bring these bills into government time?

The Hon. R.B. SUCH: No, sir, I do not want to add anything.

Motion carried.