Bob Katter (Kennedy, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That so much of standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the member for Kennedy from moving the following motion:

That this House:

(1) notes that the Cowboys Queensland and Australian halfback Jonathan Thurston will front the NRL Tribunal tonight to face a contrary conduct charge following contact with a referee in a match with the Warriors on Saturday night;

(2) notes that, if found guilty, Jonathon Thurston will miss two NRL games and also be ineligible for selection for the decider State of Origin match on 6 July;

(3) notes that the citing by the Match Review Committee stemmed from an incident in which both the halfback and referee were looking in a different direction from that in which they were moving. Neither party could be regarded as culpable, responsible or even as initiating the incident;

(4) notes that the Courier Mail has labelled this citing by the Match Review Committee as arrogant and hypocritical, and as a 'pathetic act of desperation'.

(5) notes that, in light of the facts of this case, this citing by the Sydney based Match Review Committee could be regarded as irresponsible or, even possibly, mischievous.

(6) notes that this most trivial of citing, if endorsed, will deprive tens of millions of Australians of the great excitement enjoyed by a State of the Origin decider and NSW of their right to winning fairly.

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The member for Kennedy will resume his place.

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Mackellar, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Seniors) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, on a point of order: this is highly disorderly in that it is highly insulting of the Blues.

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! There is no point of order.

Bob Katter (Kennedy, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That is the conclusion of my motion.

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Is the motion seconded?

Bob Katter (Kennedy, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am having difficulty getting a seconder because they all come from New South Wales or do not understand real football. That is my situation.

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The member for Kennedy acknowledges that he could not get a seconder. The motion lapses.