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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 4 Hansard (2 April) . . Page.. 1247 ..

MR SPEAKER: The minister was dealing with the subject matter of the question. Please continue, Minister.

MR QUINLAN: First of all, I will respond to the point of order. I think that the succession of points of order in this place is wasting our time. It has been used by the opposition consistently to debate a point-as opposed to make a point of order.

Mr Cornwell: On a point of order, the Treasurer-if he would do me the courtesy of sitting down while I make the point of order-makes the comment that successive points of order-

MR QUINLAN: Well, I want to make a point of order over the point of order.

MR SPEAKER: No, you cannot. Resume your seat, and we will just go through these one at a time.

MR QUINLAN: I was on my feet, responding to a point of order. If he can take a point of order while I was doing that, I can take a point of order while he is doing that. I am doing exactly that.

MR SPEAKER: I understood that you were answering a question. Resume your seat.

MR QUINLAN: No, I wasn't. I was answering a point of order brought up by Mrs Dunne.

MR SPEAKER: Assist me by resuming your seat for a moment, will you? Continue, Mr Cornwell.

Mr Cornwell: My point of order was that the Treasurer said that the succession of points of order in this house was a waste of time. I regard that as a reflection on the chair.

MR SPEAKER: It is open to members to raise points of order at any time. They are not a waste of time; they are an important part of the business of the chamber. Continue, Mr Quinlan.

MR QUINLAN: I have forgotten where I was, Mr Speaker. I know, I was responding to that point of order.

MR SPEAKER: Order! Frivolity is sometimes appropriate, but assist me by coming to the point of order or getting on with answering the question.

MR QUINLAN: Mr Speaker, I wish to make the point that you have allowed what I believe are inappropriate points of order and inappropriate discussion of a topic, as opposed to the point of order.

MR SPEAKER: That is a reflection on the chair, and I ask you to withdraw it.

Opposition members: Hear, hear!

MR QUINLAN: I withdraw that, Mr Speaker. Where was I?

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