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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 7 Hansard (19 June) . . Page.. 1951 ..

MS FOLLETT (continuing):

correct pronunciation of that courtesy title is "Ms" not "Mez". If it is for reasons of ideology or perhaps literacy that he has not been able to master it so far, I would encourage him to do so in the future. If, however, Mr Hird is not able to master that term, then I am perfectly happy for him to call me Miss Follett.

Mr Moore: Did you say "master the term"?

MS FOLLETT: I did, indeed. As a divorced woman who uses her maiden name, I believe that "Miss" is reasonably accurate in all the circumstances. That is an alternative that I offer to Mr Hird. If he is not able, however, to use any courtesy title with a degree of courtesy, then he can expect me to start referring to him as "Dame Harold" and to others across there as "Master Gary" and so on. But I repeat that these are courtesy titles; they should be used with courtesy, and with due regard to the preference of the person so addressed.

MR SPEAKER: Order! It being 5.30 pm, under standing order 34, I must interrupt the debate. Under standing order 34(f) a Minister may extend the debate by 10 minutes to enable Ministers to speak in reply to matters raised in the preceding adjournment debate. However, at 5.40 pm I will automatically adjourn the Assembly. If the Minister does not wish to respond to any matters raised in the debate, then I will adjourn the Assembly forthwith.

Mr Stefaniak: Andrew, you wanted to say something, did you?

Mr Whitecross: I cannot, under the standing order.

MR SPEAKER: Mr Whitecross, unfortunately, cannot, under standing order 34.

Mr Stefaniak: Who else wants to talk in the adjournment debate?

MR SPEAKER: I am sorry, Mr Minister, I am not able to allow that. You are the only person who can speak.

Mr Stefaniak: I am the only person who can speak.

MR SPEAKER: Under standing order 34(f). Otherwise, we just adjourn the Assembly.

Mr Stefaniak: I am quite happy to seek leave for Mr Whitecross to speak. I take it that no-one else wants to speak.

Leave granted.

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