Page 3015 - Week 10 - Thursday, 15 September 1994
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But, then again, I see candidates, these political hopefuls in Belconnen, saying, "Yes, we will have the hospice at Calvary". So, I really do not know. Are they going to build two? If they are going to build two, what about poor old Tuggeranong? Dipper and Trevor, you are not doing your job properly. They promised one for the two northern electorates. What about Tuggers?
Ms Follett: I ask that further questions be placed on the notice paper.
SUSPENSION OF STANDING AND TEMPORARY ORDERS
MR STEVENSON (3.05): Madam Speaker, I move:
That so much of the standing and temporary orders be suspended as would prevent each non-Executive member asking a question without notice should they wish to do so.
Madam Speaker, as we know, it is common in this place for Ministers to take up a lot of our question time. Particularly as that is the case, I think it is reasonable that we have an opportunity to allow further questions. Not everyone in this Assembly wants to score political points or attempt to; but there are important questions that one needs to ask on behalf of constituents, and one should get that opportunity. There is another situation, in that the person first rising to their feet should get the call. That simply does not happen. I would ask members to be kind enough on this occasion to allow those non-Executive members who wish to ask a question - and an important one, in my case - the opportunity to do so.
MR BERRY (Manager of Government Business) (3.06): The Government will agree to that motion.
MR MOORE (3.06): Madam Speaker, as Mr Stevenson seeks to suspend standing orders, I would suggest that he seek to suspend standing orders to bring on private members business, notice No. 8 on the notice paper, which actually is his motion to this effect. It is a clear-cut motion and a motion that we can therefore debate sensibly. I foreshadow that I would move a minor amendment. Mr Stevenson's notice of motion reads:
Questions without notice shall not be concluded until all non-Executive Members rising have asked at least one question.
I foreshadow that I would change that. I would put an amendment to make it read "had the opportunity to ask one question".
Madam Speaker, I will support Mr Stevenson's motion. This week I have had, despite being up and down in my place probably 25 times, the opportunity to ask one question. It is entirely inadequate, especially with the nonsense that has been going on. I think it is time we sorted this out and ensured that members did have the opportunity to ask a question. So, I would seek to have Mr Stevenson modify his motion a little.
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