Parliamentary Procedure

President's Ruling

The PRESIDENT (15:01): The Hon. Ms Franks, in standing order 205, what you need to do is put that in writing immediately.

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS (15:01): Mr President, I indicated that that is what I will be doing. We could take it to a vote now, but I will put it in writing and bring it as a motion to the next sitting day.

The PRESIDENT: No, you are to do it right now and bring it up to the Chair.

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS: Do we not have the option of also putting it in writing?

The PRESIDENT: That is what I have just said. I don't know what you are up to, but put it in writing and bring it up to the Chair.

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS: Then I will put it in writing and bring it before this place so that all members can have an informed debate and that perhaps you can acquaint yourself—

The PRESIDENT: No, the standing orders make it quite clear—

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS: —further with the standing orders and run this place as it should be.

The PRESIDENT: Will you sit down. You have sat there and read standing order 205 and it says 'shall be taken at once'.

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS: Point of order, Mr President: I referred you to standing order 204 and I asked you to comply with 204 and I then said I would invoke standing order 205 if you did not comply with 204.

The PRESIDENT: I don't think anyone understands what you actually said and where you are going.

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS: Point of order: I think the Hon. Kelly Vincent does understand what's going on. Perhaps she would make a better Chair of this place. Perhaps we can have that decision revisited. If you are refusing to rule on points of order you are not doing your job as President.

The PRESIDENT: You want me to—just go through that again. I don't think anyone in this chamber understands 100 per cent exactly what you are saying—

The Hon. S.G. Wade interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: —except obviously Mr Wade. Could you please repeat exactly what you are expecting?

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS: At least two of my colleagues also understand. Mr President, I asked you to rule on standing order 167, whether or not comments are to be directed through you, or indeed we can have this criss-cross of accusations and conversations across the chamber and have an unruly council, as you were complaining of, that you are responsible for.

The PRESIDENT: Okay, I didn't want a life story. I will make a ruling that all discussion and questions are to be directed through the Chair. Are we all happy? Okay.

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS: Can you simply abide by standing order 167? Can you rule on that? Do you support standing order 167?

The Hon. I.K. Hunter interjecting:

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS: No, he didn't actually support 167; he decided to make a new one.

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: Point of order, Mr President: the honourable member is trying to enter into a debate. Instead of asking you for a ruling, she is trying to encourage you into a debate, and that in itself is out of order.

The Hon. J.S.L. Dawkins: What number?

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS: What number?

The PRESIDENT: This is turning into a bit of a joke. All members of this chamber will address this chamber through the Chair. In saying that, so many times have I seen people not speaking through the Chair. If this is what the chamber wants, if you want to be very formal, then so be it. From now on, if people do not direct their questions or speech through the Chair they will be brought to order. Have you finished your question? The Hon. Mr McLachlan, I believe.