House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-04-08 Daily Xml

Contents

Parliament House Matters

PROJECT COMPASSION

The SPEAKER: Before I call on questions without notice, members will note that I have placed Project Compassion boxes in strategic locations around the chamber. I thank members in anticipation for their contributions, and I ask them to bear in mind that the donations are not a licence to interject: they are a penalty. Normal standing orders will still apply, and I will still warn and, if necessary, name members if I think that their interjections are unduly disruptive and that they are ignoring the warnings of the chair.

Mr WILLIAMS: Mr Speaker, I seek a point of clarification.

The Hon. A. Koutsantonis interjecting:

Mr WILLIAMS: I have come prepared, Tom. My understanding is that this is a Lentel—

The Hon. M.J. Atkinson: Lenten.

Mr WILLIAMS: Thank you, Attorney—a Lenten collection and that the period of Lent is one in which certainly good Catholics commit themselves to self-denial. I would hate you, sir, to derive so much pleasure from seeing my colleagues and I depositing gold coins into the box, albeit for a very worthwhile cause. The point of clarification I seek is: will you be making a one for one donation?

The SPEAKER: For the member for MacKillop's information, I have had a rigorous Lent. I think I have done my bit over many question times over the Lenten period. I thank him for his interest. The Deputy Premier.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: It is somewhat unfair that the deputy leader and I have been singled out. I advise that the deputy leader and I will be taking the first two grievances because we have to get five minutes of abuse and interjections out of our systems. My worry with the system is that it is clearly based on an honesty system. Having looked around the room, I ask what punitive action you will take if people do not pay.

The SPEAKER: I do not share the Deputy Premier's scepticism about the honesty of members. I have full confidence that members will contribute when they make their interjections.