BUSINESS › Suspension of Standing and Sessional Orders
Mr BURKE (Watson—Manager of Opposition Business) (15:11): With regard to the rules for this evening: I know there has been a significant handing around of props around the government benches. Given that you have the ruling that you will only pass around advice by written note, it creates a problem if there is an attempt to disrupt the speech tonight. I would ask that you take appropriate action in terms of advising government members. Ms Macklin: The whip was just holding it up. The SPEAKER: I would simply say— Ms Macklin interjecting— The SPEAKER: The member for Jagajaga! Excuse me. Could I have some manners. Honourable members interjecting— The SPEAKER: I will have silence, thank you very much. The fact of the matter is—yes, the member for Bass. Mr Nikolic: I seek leave to make a personal explanation. Honourable members interjecting— The SPEAKER: There will be silence. I will in fact deal with the member for Bass's request in moment. The member for Bass will resume his seat. I will simply say that there is a rule in this House that there are no props to be used. That applies equally to the speech in reply by the Leader of the Opposition, and I would ask all government members to observe that. That is the proper behaviour, and I would not wish to see any change from it. If there is, it might have to be dealt with.