Land Tax

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN (Lee) (14:33): My question is to the Premier. Did your government show arrogance in dropping this on the backbench?

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: Point of order, sir: standing order 97 doesn't allow for argument in questions and that question doesn't measure up.

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: Point of order, Mr Speaker.

The SPEAKER: A point of order on the point of order.

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: This is a direct quotation from a media article quoting a Liberal member of the party room. It's not argument: it's a statement of fact.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! If it is a direct quote, arguably—point of order on the point of order—I would have ruled that, if you are quoting something, you should seek leave to introduce facts into the house. It's on the edge. I'm prepared to uphold that point of order. I will give the member for Lee an opportunity to rephrase the question and then I will move to the member for Davenport after that. Member for Lee.

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Has the Premier and his cabinet treated his party room arrogantly?

The SPEAKER: That question is in order. The Premier has the call.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (14:34): No.