Page 1524 - Week 04 - Thursday, 25 March 2010

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exercised that on both sides of the chamber on a number of occasions. I am prepared to hear Mr Corbell.

Mr Corbell: Mr Speaker, in what way is the question related to the minister’s portfolio responsibilities? I fail to understand your ruling, and I am seeking clarification.

MR SPEAKER: As I understood the original question, the minister has responsibilities for taxation matters. Taxation matters have arisen in the course of the report, as I understand it. Therefore, the minister potentially has a conflict of interest, because she is required to make decisions in relation to taxation that have been raised in the report, potentially.

Ms Gallagher: Not the taxation issues that have been raised. They are commonwealth taxation issues.

MR SPEAKER: That is a point—

Mr Stanhope: Members of her staff pay rates, too, Mr Speaker.

MR SPEAKER: Order, members! Please, if you want to make a point, at least rise to your feet.

Mr Hargreaves: Okay; I love an invitation. Mr Speaker, this is talking about commonwealth legislation. The Treasurer has no responsibilities for commonwealth taxation legislation.

MR SPEAKER: Mrs Dunne, did you want the floor?

Mrs Dunne: Mr Speaker, I wanted to draw to your attention to and ask the Chief Minister to withdraw “that’s bullshit”, which was the comment that he made when you made your ruling. We are talking about the Speaker’s ruling. That was definitely dissent. The Chief Minister needs to withdraw.

Members interjecting—

MR SPEAKER: Thank you, Mrs Dunne. I did not hear the Chief Minister say that, so I will have to let that one slide.

Mr Stanhope: I didn’t say it, Mr Speaker. It’s a lie.

Mrs Dunne: You can withdraw that one, while you’re about it, Jon.

MR SPEAKER: Order, please! With regard to the taxation matters, this is where I confess that I have not read the report; I do not know if it contains commonwealth or state matters. Given that I have now been advised that they contain commonwealth matters, I think it does move outside the minister’s portfolio responsibilities.

Mrs Dunne: Mr Speaker, on a point of order on this issue, Mr Smyth asked directly about taxation matters as they relate to the territory and the implications that it may


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