Wednesday, 8 March 2023

International Women’s Day

Luba GRIGOROVITCH (Kororoit) (10:06): Following on from the member for Laverton and her theme, I want to let everybody know that I hosted my first Kororoit International Women’s Day lunch this week. I was surrounded by talented women and girls from our community and inspiring stories about the grassroots work that each of them is doing to change the lives of women and girls in our community. I want to thank Hannah and Bethany, the school captains from Southern Cross Grammar, and their senior teacher Jacqui; I wish both of these ladies the very best for their year 12. Suzanne and Jane from Zonta Melton – the work that they do is simply inspiring. Jen Waddell is a busy mum, local community activist, small business owner and Aintree Primary School council president. Cecilia Gomez-Benitez – the amazing work that she does in our multicultural communities is inspiring. Niti Bhargava using her skills from the finance sector to empower other women in the community with financial freedom is truly amazing, and dear Nikki Sachdeva, who I met during the campaign, is a small business owner and working mum who owns the pizza shop in Deer Park. Thank you to all of these amazing women and the local cafe Culpa for hosting us.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Deputy Speaker, I raise a point of order in relation to a matter that occurred just before member statements, and I raise it now so as to not interrupt members as they made their statements earlier. The member for Sandringham sought leave from the government to move a motion, and both of the ministers at the table provided leave. The minister on duty was audibly heard to say yes. The whole chamber heard it. If I can refer you to Rulings from the Chair –

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! If I can just rule on –

James Newbury: Can I finish making my point of order?

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: The issue at hand is that the Speaker has already ruled on this point of order.

James Newbury: I am seeking guidance in relation to a matter that happened earlier, and I refer you to standing order 115. In light of standing order 115, may I refer you, Deputy Speaker, to Speaker Delzoppo’s ruling that leave is either granted or denied and an explanation is not needed. Clearly the chamber heard that leave was given, and I would ask you if you would refer the matter to the Speaker for consideration, especially in light of what the chamber saw and heard from both ministers. Perhaps if the minister wanted to close his trading app, he could pay better attention to the chamber.

Members interjecting.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order!

James Newbury: But I would ask that you refer the matter to the Speaker for review.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: I note, as I said, that the Speaker did rule upon the point of order at the time. I will refer your request to the Speaker. We shall move on.