Member for Unley, Suspension

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Minister for Health, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Health Industries) (14:30): I move:

That the member for Unley be suspended from the sittings of the house for the rest of the day.

Mr WILLIAMS: Point of order, Mr Speaker: I seek a clarification of your ruling. It is my understanding that it is the practice of the house that, when a motion is moved that an explanation not be accepted, that motion is subject to debate in the house. The longstanding history of the house is that these debates—and there has been some discussion in the Standing Orders Committee over this particular point in recent years and I have accumulated a large amount of material which shows that indeed these debates sometimes have gone on for many hours.

The SPEAKER: Yes, indeed.

Mr WILLIAMS: But it has been the custom of the house that the question is subject to debate.

The SPEAKER: I don't think there's any clear law on this. I would like to get on with question time and give the opposition the maximum number of questions. I have put the motion; it has been carried, and now the Leader of Government Business has moved—refresh our memory.

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: That the member for Unley be suspended from the service of the house for the rest of the day.

Ms Chapman: Why?

The SPEAKER: From the service of the house—because there is a schedule of penalties, mandatory minimum sentencing, on this. Is that seconded?

An honourable member: Yes.

The SPEAKER: It is seconded.

Motion carried.

Ms Chapman: How ridiculous.

The SPEAKER: The deputy leader—

Ms CHAPMAN: I am sorry, I shouldn't have said that on the vote.

The SPEAKER: I am sorry?

Ms CHAPMAN: I apologise for saying that on the vote.

The SPEAKER: I will accept that apology. The Treasurer.