Rulings from the Chair
Points of order
The SPEAKER (17:07): I wish to make some comments about points of order. A point of order is a way for a member to draw the Chair’s attention to a situation where the standing orders or other rules of the house are not being followed or observed. The Chair rules on the point of order so that proceedings can continue. The Chair rules on the point of order when they have heard sufficient information or argument to understand the issues and form a view about how to rule. Sometimes where a matter is highly technical or complicated, the Chair may wish to hear a range of views before ruling. On other occasions the issues are more straightforward and the Chair is ready to rule without any elaboration. Speaker Smith’s substantial rulings about points of order set out that the Chair is not obliged to hear any argument or commentary at all on a point of order. On other occasions the Chair will find elaboration useful. In response to a point of order raised by the member for Eildon in question time today, when the Leader of the Nationals stated that the point of order was about the minister debating the question, that was sufficient information for the Chair to understand which rule of the house was in play and how to rule on the point of order.
Business interrupted under sessional orders.