House of Assembly Fifty-Fourth Parliament, Second Session (54-2) 54 2 Parliament of South Australia House of Assembly published Parliamentary Procedure Parliamentary Procedure Speaker, Election Speaker, Election The Speaker House of Assembly 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 House of Assembly Stuart Minister for Energy and Mining 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 House of Assembly 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 House of Assembly Mr PEDERICK: Point of order, Mr Speaker. Members interjecting: Mr PEDERICK House of Assembly Mr PEDERICK: No, it's a point of order. The Speaker House of Assembly 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 House of Assembly 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 House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Member for Hammond— The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS House of Assembly The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Point of order, sir. The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Order in the house! This matter is resolved very easily. Members interjecting: The Speaker House of Assembly 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.