Member for King

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens) (14:38): My question is to the member for King. Can the member for King provide any evidence for her accusations regarding the conduct of members of the House of Assembly she has alleged under parliamentary privilege?

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: Point of order, sir.

The Hon. A. Koutsantonis interjecting:

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: There are standard procedures in relation to the matters for which members have been responsible to the house. Asking a member about—

The Hon. A. Koutsantonis interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Quite frankly—

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: —matters in a grievance debate is unprecedented.

The SPEAKER: Minister, be seated. I have put the member for West Torrens on notice that I do not require his assistance when deliberating on a point of order. I have asked him repeatedly to stop that. He will now leave for the remainder question time.

The honourable member for West Torrens having withdrawn from the chamber:

The SPEAKER: The point of order is that the member for King is not responsible to the house for that question.

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: Sir, I also rise on a point of order: standing orders provide you with the discretion to determine whether a member is responsible to the house and may be asked questions with regard to that responsibility, and I ask that you now so rule.

The SPEAKER: Yes, questions relating to public affairs may be put to ministers and questions may be put to other members but only if such questions relate to any bill, motion or any other public business for which those members, in the opinion of the Speaker, are responsible to the house. I make the ruling that the member for King is not.

The Hon. A. Piccolo: She's not responsible for her own comments?

The SPEAKER: The member for Light can leave for the rest of question time. Would the opposition like another question? The member for Light can leave and the member for Badcoe can have another question.

The honourable member for Light having withdrawn from the chamber: