Parliamentary Procedure

Standing Orders Suspension

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: Mr President, I move:

The suspension of so much of standing orders that prevent the honourable member on his feet from asking his question and the honourable minister from answering it.

The PRESIDENT: He's got half the question out—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. I.K. Hunter: The time's up.

The PRESIDENT: Only a minister apparently.

The Hon. R.I. Lucas: I think he still thinks he's a minister.

The Hon. I.K. Hunter: Well, ministers are not attending to their duties, clearly. Someone's got to do it.

The PRESIDENT: Can we just stop the conversation? Can I ask, Treasurer, that you allow the Hon. Mr Ngo some time to finish his question.

The Hon. R.I. Lucas: Can I ask that you rule him out of order, firstly?

The PRESIDENT: You can ask, but the moment has passed.

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer) (15:20): Given that the honourable member doesn't realise he is no longer a minister, I move:

That so much of standing orders be suspended as to allow the Hon. Mr Ngo to ask his question, with a brief explanation, and sufficient time for whomsoever it is directed to give a brief answer.

Motion carried.