Rulings from the Chair
Unparliamentary language
The SPEAKER (17:08): During members statements this morning the member for Bulleen spoke about an issue affecting his constituents. Near the end of his remarks the member posed some rhetorical questions in a manner that alleged other members were racist and hated particular groups in the community. While the comments were addressed to a collective and therefore did not seek to impugn other members individually, I find that allegations of racism and that other members hate some ethnic groups to be unparliamentary and they do reflect very poorly on the house. This is particularly acute during members statements as there is no question before the Chair and other members cannot then refute the comments as they would in a substantive debate. I caution members about using such phrases in the house. Members need to find another way to express their views and comply with the requirements of standing orders 118, 119 and 120.
Business interrupted under sessional orders.