Mr EDE - 1994-08-31
Mr Speaker, yesterday the broadcast of the Assembly's proceedings was terminated abruptly before the conclusion of questions without notice. Listeners were told that the broadcast of Question Time had been interrupted at the request of the Speaker. The sessional orders of this House state that the broadcast of proceedings is to continue until the end of Question Time. Mr Speaker, can you take this opportunity to assure listeners that you did not seek to prevent them from hearing a debate that was focused against yourself?
ANSWER
I can inform the Leader of the Opposition that I gave the instruction for the broadcast to cease. I gave that instruction because the broadcast is usually of Question Time only ...
Mr Ede: Garbage!
Mr SPEAKER: ... and it is ...
Mr EDE: A point of order, Mr Speaker! The sessional order in relation to the broadcast of Question Time is quite clear. It is to be from the start of parliament through to the end of Question Time. Question Time was not terminated. It was simply delayed. Mr Speaker, I seek leave to table a copy of the appropriate sessional order so that you may learn about the processes of this parliament.
Leave granted.
Mr SPEAKER: I can assure the Leader of the Opposition that it has been the practice of this House that, when any substantive motion ...
Mr Ede: No!
Mr SPEAKER: ... is brought before the House, the broadcast ceases. That will remain the case.
Mr EDE: A point of order, Mr Speaker! What has always happened is that, when there is a substantive motion, the Leader of Government Business rises to his feet and asks that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper, thereby concluding Question Time. That is
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the end of Question Time for the purpose of sessional orders, and it is not broadcast. That is the procedure. However, that did not occur yesterday. Questions continued after the substantive motion.
Mr Coulter interjecting.
Mr STONE: Mr Speaker, it is the recollection of government members that the convention that has developed is that the practice which was observed yesterday has become the norm.
Mr Bell: Garbage!
Members interjecting.
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Mr STONE: In fact, the practice has become the convention.
Mr BELL: Mr Speaker, speaking to the point of order, I ...
Members interjecting.
Mr SPEAKER: Order! If one other member anywhere in the House reflects on a decision of the Chair, I will name him.
Mr BELL: The former Leader of Government Business had better think again if he has such a poor view of the interests of the people of the Northern Territory that he thinks it is not worth while for the opposition to ask questions about what information will be made available to the public over the radio.
Mr Coulter: What is your point of order?
Mr BELL: That is the first point, and it was in reply to your interjection.
My second point is in response to the offering from the Leader of Government Business. If an order is made by the parliament, it is binding on the Speaker. The Speaker's actions yesterday were in contravention of the sessional order. That should bother the Leader of Government Business.
Mr SPEAKER: Order! There is no point of order. I refer members to the practice of this House, and that practice will continue.
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ANSWER
I can inform the Leader of the Opposition that I gave the instruction for the broadcast to cease. I gave that instruction because the broadcast is usually of Question Time only ...
Mr Ede: Garbage!
Mr SPEAKER: ... and it is ...
Mr EDE: A point of order, Mr Speaker! The sessional order in relation to the broadcast of Question Time is quite clear. It is to be from the start of parliament through to the end of Question Time. Question Time was not terminated. It was simply delayed. Mr Speaker, I seek leave to table a copy of the appropriate sessional order so that you may learn about the processes of this parliament.
Leave granted.
Mr SPEAKER: I can assure the Leader of the Opposition that it has been the practice of this House that, when any substantive motion ...
Mr Ede: No!
Mr SPEAKER: ... is brought before the House, the broadcast ceases. That will remain the case.
Mr EDE: A point of order, Mr Speaker! What has always happened is that, when there is a substantive motion, the Leader of Government Business rises to his feet and asks that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper, thereby concluding Question Time. That is
Page 117
the end of Question Time for the purpose of sessional orders, and it is not broadcast. That is the procedure. However, that did not occur yesterday. Questions continued after the substantive motion.
Mr Coulter interjecting.
Mr STONE: Mr Speaker, it is the recollection of government members that the convention that has developed is that the practice which was observed yesterday has become the norm.
Mr Bell: Garbage!
Members interjecting.
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Mr STONE: In fact, the practice has become the convention.
Mr BELL: Mr Speaker, speaking to the point of order, I ...
Members interjecting.
Mr SPEAKER: Order! If one other member anywhere in the House reflects on a decision of the Chair, I will name him.
Mr BELL: The former Leader of Government Business had better think again if he has such a poor view of the interests of the people of the Northern Territory that he thinks it is not worth while for the opposition to ask questions about what information will be made available to the public over the radio.
Mr Coulter: What is your point of order?
Mr BELL: That is the first point, and it was in reply to your interjection.
My second point is in response to the offering from the Leader of Government Business. If an order is made by the parliament, it is binding on the Speaker. The Speaker's actions yesterday were in contravention of the sessional order. That should bother the Leader of Government Business.
Mr SPEAKER: Order! There is no point of order. I refer members to the practice of this House, and that practice will continue.
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Last updated: 09 Aug 2016