Wednesday, 20 March 2019

 The SPEAKER (19:00): Before moving to the adjournment debate I wanted to make a few remarks about some comments made earlier this afternoon when the member for Oakleigh was making a contribution to the address-in-reply debate in which he quoted a number of concerning comments that had been made towards him on social media. While the member obviously felt aggrieved, he should not have used unparliamentary and offensive language in his contribution. I remind all members that unparliamentary language is not acceptable and that quoting such language does not make it acceptable in this house. There are numerous previous rulings that set out this practice. I would invite the member for Oakleigh to consider apologising to the house.

 Mr DIMOPOULOS (Oakleigh) (19:00): Thank you, Speaker. I absolutely apologise. I am sorry for the offence it caused the chamber. It is offensive content. It is offensive to me when I receive it and to other people when they receive it. I acknowledge it was offensive to the chamber, and I am sorry.

Mr Wells: On a point of order, Speaker, thank you for your clarification on this, but I think it would be important and worthwhile, because there are a number of new members in the chamber, that your ruling today be sent out by email or through the clerks to just clarify the ruling in regard to quoting unparliamentary language.

The SPEAKER: I will consider communicating that advice to members.