Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Hansard source

I would say to the Manager of Opposition Business before I do that—and the standing orders compel me to—that I would like the opportunity, as I had with him, given the territory that we are in and the nature of this, to at least be able to respond to the Leader of the House. I think that is only fair. The Leader of the House, as you did, wanted to get clarification about the approach. I gave that to you, and I would like to give the Leader of the House that clarification now, if the Leader of the House would like. To the Leader of the House: I think it is only fair that I give clarification, given the points that you have raised, and I will be as clear as I possibly can without repeating everything I said earlier.

The Leader of the House made the point that this amendment seeks to get around the standing orders. That was a very serious concern for me in considering this matter, but, ultimately, it does not get around the standing orders. The Selection Committee is solidified in the standing orders as the body that determines when matters of private members' business come on. This amendment is possible because the Selection Committee has not made a determination. But let me be very blunt about it so there is no confusion: the Selection Committee is not bound by this resolution. The Selection Committee loses no power under the standing orders as a result of this. The Selection Committee may decide to agree or to disagree. It makes its own decisions. In no way is the Selection Committee weakened, because this House has decided that it is the Selection Committee that determines these matters. This matter is not a matter that is seeking to amend those standing orders. That would require the absolute majority. So I make it clear to all members that this House has voted for these standing orders. The House is entitled to pass resolutions calling on the Selection Committee to do certain things, but what it cannot do is enforce those on the Selection Committee—it really cannot. The only way it can do that—and it has the power to—is to change standing order 41. The Leader of the House has been—

Mr Katter interjecting—

No, the member for Kennedy will resume his seat. We are not going into question time on the matter. I am required to put the question. The question is that the motion be put.

See this speech in context