Parliamentary Procedure

Standing Orders Suspension

Mr MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Leader of the Opposition) (14:15): I move:

That standing orders be so far suspended so as to allow the house to debate for one hour the question of a lack of confidence in the Speaker in lieu of question time.

The SPEAKER: I have counted the house and there being present an absolute majority of the whole number of members of the house, I accept the motion. Is the motion seconded?

Honourable members: Yes, sir.

The SPEAKER: The question is that the motion be agreed to. Does the leader wish to speak to the motion?

Mr MALINAUSKAS: Yes, thank you, Mr Speaker. Put simply, we think that the standing orders should be suspended so as to deal with a lack of confidence in you, sir. I note the fact that this is a somewhat unprecedented situation that the parliament is left to deal with, given your hyperpartisan act within minutes of being elected to the Speakership, and we think that the parliament should deal with it swiftly.

The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN (Stuart—Minister for Energy and Mining) (14:16): The opposition will not object to the suspension of—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: Sorry, the government will not oppose the suspension of standing orders in lieu of question time. We consider it to be a stunt and a cheap stunt, but we will let the opposition get on with it.

Motion carried.