House of Assembly - Fifty-Third Parliament, First Session (53-1)
2014-06-17 Daily Xml

Contents

Personal Explanation

Member for Finniss, Remarks

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: On a point of order, sir: in the course of question time, during an answer from the Treasurer, the member for Finniss interjected comments to the effect that he needed a translator, comments that I think could only be construed as racist. I ask, sir, that you direct the member for Finniss to withdraw and apologise.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: I do not need the assistance of the member for Bragg. The comments, if made as alleged, would be offensive but not unparliamentary. Does the member for Finniss wish to say anything?

Mr PENGILLY (Finniss) (15:31): I seek leave to make a personal explanation.

Leave granted.

Mr PENGILLY: Earlier on in question time the Treasurer seemed to take offence to some comment I made. I intended no offence against him whatsoever. I am sorry if he feels that way. I simply have a hearing disability and cannot hear clearly some members, including himself. I apologise.

The SPEAKER: The house will make of that personal explanation what it will.

Mr WILLIAMS (MacKillop) (15:32): Mr Speaker, I seek clarification. It is my understanding of the matter that has just been raised that it is the convention of the house that if a member is present in the house, it is unparliamentary for another member to take offence on their behalf or seek redress on their behalf.

The SPEAKER: Yes, I think the member for MacKillop is right.