Parliamentary Procedure

Speaker, Election

The SPEAKER (15:22): There is an additional matter. I refer to my answer to the member for Hammond and his question put to me. It is an open question as to whether an electronic communication is effective resignation or whether a letter is required. In any event, an electronic communication was distributed to the relevant party officer on Friday the 8^th, which indicated an intention to stand as an Independent. So inferences can be drawn either way; it is administratively detailed. I appreciate the member for Hammond is not a barrister, though he has done his best today, and in any event—

The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN (Stuart—Minister for Energy and Mining) (15:22): Speaker, given that clarification then, would you answer the question: did you talk to a Labor member or an Independent member before providing that notification?

The SPEAKER: Minister, I am not responsible directly to the house for those matters. In any event, I have already ruled and the basis of my ruling is in Hansard.

Mr PEDERICK: Point of order, Mr Speaker.

Members interjecting:

Mr PEDERICK: No, it's a point of order.

The SPEAKER: Member for Hammond, you are trying to make good progress today, I appreciate that, but we are looking to move to grievances. I will hear briefly your point of order.

Mr PEDERICK: That is fine, Mr Speaker, but I would like to ask that you withdraw and apologise in your denigrating position that I am not a barrister. I acknowledge I am not a barrister, but I do not need to be reminded about that.

The SPEAKER: Member for Hammond—

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Point of order, sir.

The SPEAKER: Order in the house! This matter is resolved very easily.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Members be seated. The test for whether a member is offended is a subjective one. I hold the member for Hammond in high esteem and, if he has taken any offence, of course it is very easily within my power to apologise, and I do so willingly to the member for Hammond.