Member for Waite

Mr MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Leader of the Opposition) (16:52): Mr Speaker, my question is to you. Did the Speaker consult with the victims of the member for Waite before allowing him to be present in the parliament today?

The SPEAKER (16:52): Again, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. I have provided, I believe, quite a thorough background as to how I have arrived at my actions on this topic. I do appreciate that it is a contentious topic and I do appreciate that some people out there feel that it is appropriate to run these things through the media, which I think is highly inappropriate. I have obviously—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: You have asked your question and I am giving you an answer. I have pointed out—

The Hon. D.C. van Holst Pellekaan: This is the Speaker you are talking to.

The SPEAKER: Minister for Energy and Mining, I am well aware of what I can do, thank you. I have availed myself of relevant details and I have acted accordingly. I appreciate that others may have a point of view about another course of action that can be taken. I haven't taken the action that I have taken lightly. As I said, there was the option to do nothing. I did not feel that doing nothing was an option. There is a process that is underway and I don't wish to allude to or expand on that any further.