Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Hansard source

The Prime Minister will just resume his seat for a second. Whilst I have said to the House—

Government members interjecting—

Those on my right will cease interjecting—that a very strict reading of the standing orders would rule most questions out of order, and it has been the practice of the House for years, in fact decades—

Mr Swan interjecting—

The member for Lilley can leave under 94(a).

The member for Lilley then left the chamber.

I have made it very clear that, when I am addressing the House, I am not going to have members interjecting. Otherwise, I will simply move to the next question.

A very strict ruling of the standing orders would rule most questions out of order, but, for practicalities, speakers over years, indeed decades, have been more lenient. I have already flagged that the tag lines to some of these questions are pushing it beyond what I am comfortable with. I have said that to the member for McMahon. The member for Sydney heard me. I think the last part of that question, in particular, is over the line, in terms of ironical expressions and the rest, and I am not going to allow it. The Prime Minister can address the first part of the question. If there is a repeat of it, the entire question will be ruled out of order and I will move to the next question.

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