Page 682 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 23 March 1993
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To summarise, Madam Speaker, the Government is encouraged that most members who contributed to this debate did so eloquently and impassionedly, to support the need for us to do more to protect women in our community from violence by men, and made the point that the Chief Minister made so very strongly - that this is about attitude and, quite frankly, those of us who are men have to change our attitudes before we can get on top of this problem.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
MEMBER'S COMMENTS
Statement by Speaker
MADAM SPEAKER: Before we proceed to the next item of business I want to make a statement in regard to events in the Assembly at the last sitting. My attention has been drawn to comments made on 25 February on a radio broadcast by Mr Humphries concerning his suspension from the chamber that day. In the main, Mr Humphries's comments dealt with matters relating to staffing and the role of independent members; but, in response to a question relating to the Speakership, he made a number of comments that called into question my impartiality in the discharge of my duties as Speaker and criticised the management of question time.
Traditionally, a reflection on the character of the Speaker inside or outside the chamber or accusations of partiality in the discharge of his or her duties have been punishable as a breach of privilege or contempt. Both House of Representatives Practice and Erskine May's Parliamentary Practice cite precedents where this has occurred. I believe that comments of this kind broadcast publicly do lower the Assembly in the public esteem. I therefore believe that an apology or a withdrawal of the comments made, in so far as they reflect on the Chair, would be proper. Where I have sought such a response in the past it has been forthcoming from the relevant member.
As far as the operation of the Assembly is concerned, any member may sponsor proposals to change the rules or alter the practices by which we operate in this Assembly. This opportunity is even more accessible at the moment as there is a formal review of the standing orders being undertaken. Could I conclude by reminding members that to go to the media and criticise the actions of the Chair in this way does nothing for the standing of the Assembly and tends to lower it in the public esteem. There are procedures available to members to propose alterations to our practices and formal procedures. I believe that it would be in the best interests of the Assembly if these avenues were followed and, indeed, an apology offered.
Mr Humphries: Madam Speaker, I seek leave to make a statement to the Assembly on this question.
MADAM SPEAKER: In the first instance I will have to listen to whether you are going to withdraw or not, Mr Humphries.
Mr Humphries: Madam Speaker, I do not believe that I can withdraw without making a statement.
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