Lindsay Tanner (Melbourne, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, during question time you ruled out of order the following sentence in a question that the member for Griffith asked the Minister for Trade:

Does the minister accept any responsibility for this kick in the guts to Australia’s hard-working wheat farmers arising from the $300 million wheat for weapons scandal?

You ruled it out of order on the grounds that it was unnecessary. When asked, in a point of order, by the member for Grayndler on what standing order your relied, you then referred generally to standing order 100. Standing order 100 relates to statements of facts or names of persons, arguments, inferences, imputations, insults et cetera. I would like to ask, firstly, what in this sentence offended which particular subsection of standing order 100? Secondly, I would respectfully request in future, Mr Speaker, that when you are ruling sections of questions out of order you identify more precisely under which standing order they are ruled out of order.

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Melbourne for his question. I believe that he probably found the answer in the second half of his question. It is certainly not the practice of occupiers of the chair to give a running commentary on decisions taken by the chair. I took the decision at the time and I will not revisit it.

Lindsay Tanner (Melbourne, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, with respect, I have asked a question and I am afraid you have not answered it. It is really not appropriate simply to refuse to answer my question.

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Melbourne will resume his seat. If he is going to reflect on the chair, he will resume his seat.

Lindsay Tanner (Melbourne, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I was not reflecting on the chair, Mr Speaker.

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Melbourne is reflecting on the chair. He will resume his seat.

Lindsay Tanner (Melbourne, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There is provision in the standing orders for questions to the Speaker. I have asked a question—

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Melbourne will resume his seat.