Page 2734 - Week 10 - Wednesday, 6 October 2021
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unreasonable time on a sitting day. We all have remote access to our emails that allow us to look at emails and forward them on.
If that is not the way it is done, how should it be done? We are asked to provide that notice. Mrs Kikkert provided that notice to the Speaker. She provided not just 90 minutes notice but an additional hour over that time.
With respect, Madam Speaker, either there is a problem with the processes within your office or there is a problem with the standing orders. Mrs Kikkert complied fully—in fact, she overachieved, as she often does in this regard. What else is she meant to do?
I ask that we bring this on now. Mrs Kikkert has complied and Mr Gentleman is here. I cannot see why we cannot get on with this matter. It should take place as a matter of precedence. Simply waiting half an hour for it to come on seems unnecessary. This is not in accordance with the standing orders, which Mrs Kikkert has complied with.
With due respect, Madam Speaker, I ask that we bring this matter on. There is no reason for delay. If we need to look at the standing orders or processes within your office to make sure this does not happen again, we will be happy to do so.
MS STEPHEN-SMITH (Kurrajong—Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, Minister for Families and Community Services and Minister for Health) (10.05): The rule in the standing orders is there to ensure that whoever a motion is moved against—and everybody else—has an opportunity to receive that information and prepare to respond to it.
Madam Speaker, it is budget day today. The Chief Minister is extremely busy. He received notice of this motion at 9.04. Mr Gentleman received notice of this motion at 9.04. It is only fair and appropriate that Mr Gentleman has the full 90 minutes that are accorded to him under the standing orders to prepare to respond to this motion, which is a very serious motion.
It is a very serious thing to bring a motion of no confidence in a minister, and it is important that both the minister and the Chief Minister have an appropriate opportunity to prepare to respond. It is half an hour, Mr Hanson. The motion would still be considered this morning. It is only fair that the Chief Minister and the relevant minister have an opportunity to prepare to respond to this motion.
MR RATTENBURY (Kurrajong) (10.06): Madam Speaker, Minister Stephen-Smith has made a very important point. I heard Mr Hanson’s remarks, and there is obviously a frustration for him and his colleagues about some procedural matters behind this. That is a matter to be resolved. Mr Hanson can take it up either in a separate motion or through the admin and procedures committee.
As Minister Stephen-Smith has rightly pointed out, the point of the standing order is to give other members an opportunity to consider the motion and prepare for the discussion. That is the 90 minutes that are set aside. I am not disputing Mr Hanson’s points around possible delay, but the reality is that every other member in this place
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