Members

BRESSINGTON, HON. A., SUSPENSION

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Public Sector Management, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister for Gambling) (15:21): I move:

That the Hon. Ann Bressington be suspended from the service of the council.

The PRESIDENT: Is that seconded?

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA: Seconded.

The PRESIDENT: I put it: all in favour say—

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS: Is that motion able to be debated at all, Mr President?

The PRESIDENT: No; I am putting it.

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS: No. There are standing orders. I am seeking your guidance on the standing orders as to whether members are permitted to speak. This is not a normal set of circumstances, Mr President—

The PRESIDENT: No; it does not happen here very often.

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS: Indeed. For what is a relatively, in my judgement, minor indiscretion for a member to be named, I am seeking your guidance as to what the standing orders allow in relation to members being able to address the issues. Certainly, in the House of Assembly, Mr President—

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: Point of order, Mr President.

The PRESIDENT: Point of order.

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: The Hon. Mr Lucas is debating the question that he has directed to you.

The PRESIDENT: It has been put without discussion and been determined. It has been seconded. I put it: all in favour say aye, against say no. I think the ayes have it.

Motion carried.

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Ms Bressington is suspended for the rest of the sitting.

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: Can I finish my answer?

The PRESIDENT: Wait until the member leaves.

The Hon. Ms Bressington having withdrawn from the chamber:

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS: Point of order, Mr President.

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Lucas has a point of order.

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS: Why did you indicate that she was suspended for the rest of the sitting as opposed to the rest of the sitting day?

The PRESIDENT: The rest of the sitting?

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS: You said 'the rest of the sitting', which is four sitting days. Why did you say that—

The PRESIDENT: No, I didn't. I did not say that.

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS: —when it should be 'the rest of the sitting day'?

The PRESIDENT: Day.

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS: Well, it is a big difference, Mr President.

The PRESIDENT: Is it? It is only a day.

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS: Well, it is three days' difference.

The PRESIDENT: No, I did not say 'days', I said 'day'.

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS: You said 'rest of the sitting'.

The PRESIDENT: I said 'rest of the sitting day'.

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS: You said 'rest of the sitting'.

The PRESIDENT: The sitting means the day.

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS: The Hansard will indicate what you said, Mr President.

The PRESIDENT: Be careful, or you will be next.

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS: You can't change the Hansard.

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Wortley.