Page 735 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 17 March 2015

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I would also like to update members on the second implementation plan which is currently being developed. In order to maximise the quality of the second implementation plan, the ACT government has participated in extensive consultation with a wide range of community stakeholders, including the Refugee, Asylum Seeker and Humanitarian Coordination Committee; the Children and Youth Services Council; the Joint Community Government Reference Group; and the Law Reform Advisory Council.

MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Ms Fitzharris.

MS FITZHARRIS: Minister, how is the government working with other states and territories and the federal government in developing a national approach?

MS BERRY: I am pleased to be able to talk about the approach that the national government is taking in addressing this issue. The ACT government will be continuing to work with the federal government and territory and state governments on bringing attention to this as a national issue and also as a state and territory issue. The Attorney-General has already written, along with other state and territory ministers, to the federal government, calling on the government to continue to fund community legal centres in the ACT and across the country. I, as the Minister for Women, have also written to the Minister for Social Services, asking him to continue funding community services in the ACT so that we can continue to address this very important issue in the ACT.

Mr Barr: I ask that all further questions be placed on the notice paper.

Questions without notice

Statement by Speaker

MADAM SPEAKER: I would like to reflect more on the point of order raised by Mr Coe, referring to members of other parliaments. As I said when Mr Coe raised the point, I was contemplating this issue, but my recollection of proceedings in this place was not as clear as I would have hoped. The Clerk has referred me to a ruling that I made on 14 May 2014 on this matter. At that stage I quoted from Odgers’ Australian Senate Practice and also referred to continuing resolution No 7 in the standing orders, in relation to free speech.

I would remind members of what is said in Odgers, starting on page 258, in relation to the rules of debate. The second paragraph starts by saying:

Certain institutions and categories of office-holders are specifically protected by the standing orders against offensive words and personal reflections … This protection is extended to:

a vote of the Senate …

the monarch, the Governor-General and governors of states


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