Tuesday, 19 March 2024

 The SPEAKER (14:01): On 7 March the Manager of Opposition Business took a point of order in relation to a phrase used by the member for South Barwon. In the course of debate the member had used an idiomatic expression, which I do not intend to repeat here. The point of order asked me to consider whether the phrase is unparliamentary language for the purposes of standing order 118. While I accept that the phrase was used as a figure of speech rather than a direct comment on an individual, I rule that the use of the phrase is unparliamentary. I am not seeking a withdrawal or apology in this instance, but I advise all members that remarks of this kind are not appropriate and the chamber is a workplace, albeit one for robust debate.