Parliamentary Procedure

Members' Behaviour

The PRESIDENT (14:35): Before we start questions without notice, I have a brief statement I wish to make. The behaviour of members in this chamber yesterday was less than satisfactory, and I have been reminded of a statement to the council in November 1988 by one of my predecessors, the Hon. Anne Levy AO, who, while President, stated:

The behaviour in this house in recent times has not been acceptable to me. When important issues are before the parliament, such behaviour is not conducive to proper consideration of parliamentary business.

I have said on many occasions that repeated interjections are out of order. There are some members who continually ignore my requests for proper decorum in the chamber.

I wish to indicate that I expect standards of behaviour to improve in the remaining weeks of this session. I shall have no hesitation in naming members who persistently interject and, by their behaviour, demean the institution of parliament.

I can but remind members of their responsibilities to the parliament and the people they represent.

So, members, I would certainly share the sentiments of the Hon. Anne Levy. I would hope that the standard of behaviour in this chamber would have improved with the passage of 30 years, and ask members to demonstrate that to be the case.