Tuesday, 29 August 2023

Rulings from the Chair

Unparliamentary language

The SPEAKER (14:52): Before we return to the Justice Legislation Amendment Bill 2023, Acting Speaker Hamer referred a point of order to me to consider in the last sitting week. As I understood it, the member for Lowan took a point of order, drawing attention to what she considered to be unparliamentary language used by the member for Frankston regarding the member for Euroa by way of an interjection as the member for Euroa finished her remarks on a bill. Some time after the next speaker, the member for Monbulk, had received the call to speak on the bill, the member for Lowan took the point of order. In response to the point of order, the member for Frankston sought to clarify his remark and suggested the interjection was misunderstood. The Acting Chair referred the issue to me to consider.

I make the following observations: all members should use parliamentary language at all times, and while interjections can add to the spirit of debate and may be critical of a member’s performance, they should not be used to disparage a colleague personally, regardless of intention or context. I do not intend to revisit the specifics of this point of order but remind all members to observe the requirements about appropriate language.

In addition, I further note that points of order should be taken at an appropriate time. The point of order on this was not made immediately, which meant the member for Monbulk’s time was curtailed by members speaking on an issue that had nothing to do with her speech. In this case the point of order should have been taken immediately, and I rule that point of order out of order.