Sarah Henderson (Corangamite, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yesterday in this chamber, while speaking on the Parliamentary Entitlements Legislation Amendment Bill 2014 and the importance of integrity, I made reference to a dishonest campaign run by the former member for Corangamite. The Second Deputy Speaker asked me to withdraw these comments on the basis that I was impugning a member. I initially objected by reason that the person to whom I was referring was a former member and not a member. In light of standing order 90, I ask for your guidance on this matter.

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member will resume her seat. The Manager of Opposition Business on a point of order.

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There has been a ruling that you have made for some time that questions to the Speaker—

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I will deal with the question, thank you. Resume your seat. The member for Corangamite has the call.

Sarah Henderson (Corangamite, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Would you like me to repeat the question, Madam Speaker?

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No.

Sarah Henderson (Corangamite, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Just the last bit. In light of standing order 90, I ask for your guidance on this matter. Thank you.

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Under the standing orders, questions to the Speaker are supposed to be about administrative matters and administrative matters only. However, there is an important point that I wish to make and that is this: once a member is asked to withdraw by the chair, there is an obligation to comply with the ruling of the chair; otherwise the matter is compounded and indeed it becomes a reflection on the chair. However, for the purposes of clarity, standing orders 89 and 90, which are the relevant standing orders, apply only to current members and senators. Indeed, 90 applies to members only and 89 applies to members and senators. Joan Child, a former distinguished Speaker in this chair, has noted that. There are other instances when people have been required to withdraw when a former member was mentioned. I think the best way to proceed is that we abide entirely by the standing orders and that standing orders 89 and 90 apply only to current members and senators.

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. We have just had a question to the Speaker that was not on administrative matters which has resulted in a ruling. At no point have the opposition raised issues other than administrative matters during questions to the Speaker. I hope that what has happened now is not repeated, because you have asked us not to and we have abided by that—

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member will resume his seat. The reason I have chosen to deal with this matter today—and it is an exception that proves the rule—is very simply that members must understand that if someone in the chair—and some of you would do well to listen—asks somebody to withdraw then they are obliged to comply with the ruling of the chair otherwise they are engaging in a reflection on the chair. From that I went on to make a further statement. That will be the end of the matter.