Legislative Assembly Privileges Committee

Person Referred To In The Legislative Assembly

Mr Alan Malcolm

May 2002

Ordered To Be Printed

By Authority

Government Printer For The State Of Victoria

No 149 — Session 1999-2002

Members Of The Committee

Mr P J Loney, MP Chair
Hon J W Thwaites, MP Deputy Chair
Hon R F Cooper, MP
Mr T J Holding, MP
Hon R J Hulls, MP
Hon R R C Maclellan, MP
Mr N J Maughan, MP
Mr D A Nardella, MP
Mr A F Plowman, MP

Staff

Mr G H Westcott, Clerk of Committees, Legislative Assembly
Ms L Choat, Manager, Procedure Office, Legislative Assembly

REPORT

On 12^th September 2001 Mr Alan Malcolm wrote a submission to the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, the Honourable Alex Andrianopoulos, seeking redress under Sessional Order 7 relating to the protection of persons referred to in the Legislative Assembly.

The submission referred to statements made by Mr Russell Savage MP on 13^th June 2001. The Speaker, having accepted the submission as a submission for the purposes of the Sessional Order, referred it to the Committee on 10^th October 2001.

The Committee met in private session on 17^th October 2001 to deliberate on the submission.

In examining Mr Malcolm's submission the Committee was guided by the requirements and tests laid down in Sessional Orders. These are attached as Appendix 1.

The Committee resolved to invite Mr Malcolm to supply additional information before the Committee would make a final decision on the request for a right of reply. On 6^th November 2001 Mr Malcolm responded in writing to the Committee's request. The information supplied still did not satisfy the Committee's requirements and Mr Malcolm was again contacted and invited to supply further information.

The Committee met again in private session on 27^th March 2002 and noted that Mr Malcolm had not responded to the Committee's latest invitation. In view of the time that had elapsed the Committee resolved to take no further action.

The Committee draws attention to Sessional Order 7(6) which requires that, in considering a submission under this Sessional Order and reporting to the House, the Committee shall not consider or judge the truth of any statements made in the House or in the submission.

Recommendation:

That no further action be taken in respect of the submission from Mr Alan Malcolm.

Committee Room

15^th May 2002