Page 2713 - Week 09 - Wednesday, 13 September 2023
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Wednesday, 13 September 2023
MADAM SPEAKER (Ms Burch) (10.00): Members:
Dhawura nguna, dhawura Ngunnawal.
Yanggu ngalawiri, dhunimanyin Ngunnawalwari dhawurawari.
Nginggada Dindi dhawura Ngunnaawalbun yindjumaralidjinyin.
The words I have just spoken are in the language of the traditional custodians and translate to:
This is Ngunnawal Country.
Today we are gathering on Ngunnawal country.
We always pay respect to Elders, female and male, and Ngunnawal country.
Members, I ask now that we stand in silence and pray or reflect on our responsibilities to the people of the Australian Capital Territory.
Legislative Assembly—unparliamentary language
Ruling by Speaker
MADAM SPEAKER: Yesterday during debate on the Appropriation Bill, Mr Hanson was making comments on part 1.7 relating to the Justice and Community Safety Directorate. In his remarks he pointed to some comments made by Mr Braddock where he quoted from a report on ACT Policing and referred to the words in the report that stated ACT Policing was operating “below capacity levels”, compared to other jurisdictions.
Mr Hanson then drew attention to the difference between the report’s findings and the number of times “Mr Gentleman and others” had stated in the Assembly “we have enough police”, and then made the comment:
… and that was not true. That was not true, and now everybody says it and it is on the record. The fact that he has had to put in this budget 125 police proves that it was porkies being told in this place for years.
The Assistant Speaker asked Mr Hanson to withdraw the words “That was not true” and also the word “porkies”. Mr Hanson subsequently withdrew the word “porkies”, with the Assistant Speaker indicating that the Hansard would be examined in relation to the words “That was not true”.
I have examined the proof transcript of the proceedings, together with the relevant provisions of Assembly standing orders. Standing orders 54 and 55 state:
A Member may not use offensive words against the Assembly or any Member thereof or against any member of the judiciary.
All imputations of improper motives and all personal reflections on Members shall be considered highly disorderly.
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