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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 8 Hansard (19 August) . . Page.. 2813 ..

Mr Stanhope: You made that speech a year ago. It is no longer relevant.

MR DEPUTY SPEAKER: A member who has spoken to a question may again be heard to explain where some material part of his or her speech has been misquoted or misunderstood. No time limits are imposed.

Mr Quinlan: Read the rules.

MR DEPUTY SPEAKER: No time limit is imposed if a member is referring to a speech that was made some time ago. The standing order does not state that reference can be made only to speeches that were made in the same debate. However, it does state that a member "shall not introduce any new matter, nor interrupt a member speaking, and no debatable matter may be brought forward nor may any debate arise upon such explanation". I caution Mr Pratt not to introduce any new matters into this debate, as it will simply result in another discussion.

MR PRATT: Mr Speaker, I abide by your ruling and the framework of standing order 47. The third paragraph of my speech to which I wish to refer gives this issue some balance. I stated:

When I made that reference to "backing up our fire services and emergency services"I was talking about community and government leadership. That statement follows the statement that was quoted earlier by Mr Quinlan. The point that I was making-and this is something to which Mr Quinlan failed to refer when he was quoting from my speech-was that our fire units did as much as they possibly could in 2001. Mr Quinlan failed to point out to members that I urged the government to do more by introducing education, information and awareness programs. I repeat what I said earlier, Mr Speaker: the sections of my speech from which Mr Quinlan quoted did not reflect the fact that I had said our fire units worked well in December 2001.

Mr Corbell: On a point of order, Mr Speaker: Mr Pratt is now debating the question.

MR DEPUTY SPEAKER: Indeed you are, Mr Pratt. You have made your point.

Mr Corbell: He has gone beyond making a personal explanation. He is now debating the question.

MR DEPUTY SPEAKER: You have explained that part of your speech in which you claim to have been misquoted by Mr Quinlan. Your explanation is now on the record.

MR PRATT: I accept your ruling, Mr Speaker. Perhaps I strayed a little from the question. I conclude simply by stating that that erroneous misrepresentation reflects a certain frustration on the part of Mr Quinlan.

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