Page 698 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 5 July 1989
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through the house, and no-one can argue with that concept. However, as we have already seen, the format of this Assembly with minority government requires the Government to ensure that it is able to get the support of the other parties to enable its legislation to get passed.
My colleague Mr Collaery has already referred to the need to consider the option of using the standing orders of the Senate as a model on which to develop our own standing orders. I support that suggestion, because the procedures used by the Senate are more appropriate to a house of assembly, where the system of election provides representation in accordance with the wishes of the people. Certainly we do not have the gerrymander, as they have in Queensland. We do not have any boundaries, as I am sure my fellow expatriate Queenslander and past member of that parliament is fully aware.
It is clearly appropriate that the standing orders should be referred to a committee. Members of the Rally clearly recall the first days of this Assembly, when the Government, making good use of its past experience and large number of advisers, was able to push through a number of important changes to standing orders before we had caught our breath. However, let us not complain too much about that as we have learned quickly how to operate in this field.
MR SPEAKER: Order! It being 12.30 pm, debate is interrupted in accordance with standing order 77, as amended by temporary order. The member speaking has leave to continue his remarks when the debate continues.
Debate adjourned.
Sitting suspended from 12.30 pm to 2.30 pm
CONDUCT OF DEBATE
MR SPEAKER: I wish to make a statement. Smart asides which can add some lightness and relieve tensions are tolerated. However, interruptions and particularly lengthy statements are not proper. I ask members to please abide by your standing orders.
Another comment I would like to make is that the Administration and Procedures Committee can only debate matters before it; it cannot foresee matters in advance. This is a circumstance where the Administration and Procedures Committee did meet last night but an issue was brought before the house this morning which was not debated by that committee.
Members, I implore you to lift your game. Members on both sides of the house are sinking to comments aimed at personalities as opposed to policies. Members are being
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