Page 4561 - Week 11 - Tuesday, 19 October 2010
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MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER Mr Seselja, did you have more to say on that point of order?
Mr Seselja: Only that there does not appear to be a point of order. He has not pointed to a standing order. I again ask you to ensure that members such as Mr Corbell do not sit there and use points of order as an opportunity to simply debate the merits. He is debating the merits. Mrs Dunne should be allowed to continue.
Mr Corbell: Madam Assistant Speaker, the standing orders do not permit members to make improper imputations against other members. It is disorderly conduct, and she should be asked to withdraw.
MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER: Mrs Dunne, I invite you to withdraw your comments.
MRS DUNNE: Sorry, which comments am I being invited to withdraw?
MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER: I understand you made comments which suggested—look, I cannot remember the exact words—
Mr Smyth: Kind of hard to withdraw if there are not exact words.
MRS DUNNE: Sorry, Madam Assistant Speaker; I am happy to contemplate withdrawing remarks, but I have to know what it is I am withdrawing.
MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER: Yes. Mr Corbell, exactly which remark did you wish to have withdrawn?
Mr Corbell: Madam Assistant Speaker, standing order 55 is called “Personal reflections”.
MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER: Yes.
Mr Corbell: It states that all imputations of improper motives and all personal reflections on members shall be considered highly disorderly. Mrs Dunne suggested—in fact, she imputed—that I had a personal vendetta against the former Chief Magistrate such as to justify my decision to establish a judicial commission. It is an outrageous allegation. It is highly disorderly, and she should be asked to withdraw.
MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER: Mr Corbell, I think we have heard what you want—
Mr Seselja: On the point of order, Madam Assistant Speaker, what Mr Corbell is now arguing is that Mrs Dunne should not be allowed to draw conclusions in making her argument. In this place we draw conclusions. We often draw conclusions about the motives of members. In the absence of any evidence as to why Mr Corbell pursued this course, Mrs Dunne should be free to ask what was the motivation behind his actions. That is what we do in this place. We often ask that question. If we are going
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