John Faulkner (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Hansard source

Mr President, I do agree with one of the points that Senator Brandis makes in speaking to this point of order—that being that it is a point of order rarely taken in this chamber. I would respectfully suggest, however, that is because I think all of us in this chamber from time to time refer to what is described as ‘copious notes’, which we all understand is codeword for a written document in front of us. I have been here in this place a long time. I would certainly be the first to admit that I have often referred to notes. Sometimes I make extemporaneous speeches. Most people refer to notes in contributions. There is a very important point here. This is something that the opposition should, I think, reflect on. It is a very easy point of order to take against any of, I would respectfully suggest, the 76 senators in this chamber from time to time. The point of order is not taken because we all, on occasions, do precisely what Senator Conroy is doing. Let us be clear, however, about what we do not always do, and I accept this element of what Senator Brandis says: instead of using a written document it is the case on occasions, obviously, that Senator Conroy uses a document that appears on a computer screen. Let us be frank about this. Let us be sensible about it. Let us not have points of order here that can reflect on everyone in this chamber and can be used in relation to every single senator in this place.