Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Hansard source

The Manager of Opposition Business can resume his seat. I've got my glasses on, so it's serious. I'll be very quick with this. On this occasion, the Leader of the House is quite right. The Manager of Opposition Business can say that the member's responsible, but the question must relate to a bill, motion or other business of the House or committee for which the member is responsible.

Honourable members interjecting—

Can I conclude without everyone interjecting? It needs to be read in conjunction with Practice, and these questions, and I'm referring—

Mr Llew O'Brien interjecting—

Mr Gee interjecting—

The member for Wide Bay and the member for Calare aren't assisting. I believe this needs to be read in conjunction—

Mr Clare interjecting—

The member for Blaxland! I think the Manager of Opposition Business is seeking to listen to me. He's well aware of the standing orders. There needs to be a specific example, not a general example, and the practice has been that these questions are essentially confined to timing and procedure. I've been a committee chair myself. I've heard a lot of these questions asked in the past, and I don't believe this is in order. I prepared to hear from the—

Mr Rob Mitchell interjecting—

I'm here to uphold the standing orders, not to please the member for McEwen, to be frank. I can tell you: it's something I spend no time on. The Manager of Opposition Business can make a further submission.

See this speech in context