Page 3617 - Week 13 - Tuesday, 16 October 1990
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Mr Collaery: On a point of order, Mr Speaker: this question has clearly been framed by a lawyer. It relates to proceedings that Mr Humphries may be issuing out of the Supreme Court Registry in relation to comments made by the Chief Minister and/or a television station. It seeks a legal opinion, Mr Speaker. The matter is struck out by standing orders.
MR SPEAKER: I will take advice on this matter, Mr Collaery.
Mr Collaery: I think you should, Mr Speaker, with respect. It is standing order 117, paragraph (c) (iii). It is not the sub judice rule itself; it is the provision concerning seeking a legal opinion. It is clearly framed by a lawyer to assist someone to defend a proceedings.
MR SPEAKER: Order, Mr Collaery! I would refer Mr Berry to standing order 117 (c) (i) under which questions asking for an expression of opinion are out of order, and I would rule that that question was such. You would therefore have to rephrase your question.
Utility Vehicles - Registration
MR STEVENSON: My question is addressed to Craig Duby in respect of his responsibility for roads, rates and rubbish. Is it fair that someone who registers a utility but does not use it for utility purposes and has no intention to do so should pay a registration fee designed for that business purpose?
MR DUBY: Mr Speaker, I think Mr Stevenson is asking me for an opinion as to whether a certain state of affairs is fair or not. What I think he is trying to get at is the difference in the registration rates between vehicles which under Australian Design Rule standards are designated as utility or goods carrying vehicles and those which are designated as passenger carrying vehicles. I think Mr Stevenson is referring to a particular model of vehicle on the road, the name of which escapes me, but it is a small vehicle, a two-seater with a hatch utility - I suppose that is the way to describe it accurately - which under Australian Design Rules is designated as a goods carrying vehicle.
Under the provisions that we have for the registration of vehicles in this Territory, vehicles so designated are charged at the rate that applies to utility vehicles as opposed to sedans or passenger carrying vehicles. As such, no matter what purposes people had in mind when they purchased such a vehicle, they are aware of the requirements for registration of that vehicle and are so required to pay the prescribed rate.
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