Ms Anna Burke (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Just before I call the first member, I do have a matter of privilege to clear up. On 6 June 2013, the Leader of the Opposition raised a matter of privilege in relation to a matter of public importance not being proceeded with earlier on that sitting day.

As a background to this matter, on 6 June 2013 I received two proposals for matters of public importance to be discussed: one from the member for Throsby and one from the Leader of the Opposition. As required by the standing orders and practice, I selected the matter I considered should be proposed to the House for discussion—namely, the matter proposed by the member for Throsby. At the time for the MPI, again in accordance with the standing orders, I read the proposed matter to the House. As neither the proposer was in attendance to support it nor an additional seven members standing to support it, as required by the standing orders, the matter lapsed. It was not open to me under the standing orders to propose another matter for discussion.

As far as I can ascertain, the only circumstances in which a proposer has not been in the chamber to support their matter of public importance has been where there has been some misadventure or other processes of the House have prevented them from being present.

I do not consider the action of a proposer of a matter of public importance in absenting themselves from the chamber, either deliberately or not, when the matter is read out gives rise to any issue of contempt such as would warrant precedence being given to a motion to refer the matter to the Committee of Privileges and Members' Interests.

However, matters of public importance are a significant part of the House's proceedings and I believe that all members should show respect for the processes of the House. These processes allow important opportunities for all members and all members should recognise this.

Stuart Robert (Fadden, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Defence Science, Technology and Personnel) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

When the Leader of the Opposition raised the matter of privilege with you, the question he also raised was whether, in the parliament's history, an MPI put forward by the Leader of the Opposition had been denied in favour of one by the government—

Ms Anna Burke (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Member for Fadden is reflecting on the Chair and I ask him to desist.