Harry Jenkins (Scullin, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, as my motion has not been stated to the House, I therefore withdraw it and move:

That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the Prime Minister speaking without interruption for 10 minutes on the question that the words proposed to be omitted by the Leader of the Opposition stand part of the question.

Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order. Under standing order 67, may I request that you, Mr Speaker, state the question that is before you at the moment.

The question that is before the House is a new motion just put by the Leader of the House. He has withdrawn his earlier motion. I will read the motion for the benefit of the House.

Mr Speaker, on a further point of order before you do that—

Mr McGauran interjecting

Just listen, Ginger. Mr Speaker, you have not stated that question. The Leader of the House may have moved it, but you have not stated it. It is not the business before the House.

Government members interjecting—

The Speaker has not stated it. He does that at the end of the mover’s debate.

I thank the member for Scullin and I will respond to him. The Leader of the House had the call and then we had, shall we say, a diversion where there was some disciplinary action taken. Therefore, the call that had been given to the Leader of the House was restated. The Leader of the House has now put a motion. I will read the motion. He has moved:

That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the Prime Minister speaking without interruption for 10 minutes on the question that the words proposed to be omitted by the Leader of the Opposition stand part of the question.

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