Tuesday, 6 February 2024

Questions without notice and ministers statements

Member for Ringwood

Emma KEALY (Lowan) (14:01): My question is to the Premier. Last week the Premier stated that the wellbeing of staff and their right to a safe workplace is not negotiable. If the Premier believes that it is not safe for the member for Ringwood to sit inside the Labor party room, how is it safe for everyone else who works at or visits Parliament?

The SPEAKER: Member for Lowan, I am not quite sure how that relates to government business. I will give you the opportunity to rephrase the question.

Emma KEALY: My question is to the Premier. Last week the Premier stated that the wellbeing of staff and their right to a safe workplace is not negotiable. Given the responsibility we all have for the safety and wellbeing of people within Parliament and our duty to ensure that, if the Premier believes it is not safe for the member for Ringwood to sit inside the Labor party room, how is it safe for everybody else who works at or visits Parliament?

Mary-Anne Thomas: On a point of order, Speaker, I refer to your earlier ruling. The question asked by the member has not changed substantially and has nothing to do with government business. I ask that you rule the question out of order. It is a matter for the attention of the Parliament.

James Newbury: On the point of order, Speaker, firstly, the member referred to a statement the Premier had made herself, so I would first go to say that the question related to a matter that the Premier had taken on board herself and spoken to publicly. In the first instance the question asked the Premier about that statement, and that statement of course would be entirely a matter of public affairs, which is within the Premier’s business as the leader of the government.

The SPEAKER: When I reflect on the question and the phrasing, both the first question and the rephrased question, I will be ruling the question out of order. It is not a part of government administration.