Wednesday, 10 September 2025

Rulings from the Chair

Unparliamentary language

The SPEAKER (09:43): During question time on 28 August the Leader of the House took a point of order requesting that the member for Lowan withdraw a remark made in an interjection while the member was walking back to her seat and which the minister found personally offensive. I had not heard the remark and so asked the member if she had made such a comment. The member for Lowan said that she had not. I did not uphold the point of order at that time but committed to reviewing the footage of the chamber. The video-on-demand footage is inconclusive. As members would know, interjections when made away from the microphones or when the member does not have the call are often not picked up. Accordingly, I do not uphold the point of order.

However, I wish to make some remarks about personally offensive remarks. Sometimes the Chair may seek verification from a member as to whether they made an unparliamentary remark. The Chair cannot and does not hear everything, particularly in question time when the chamber is very loud or when members interject when not in their seat, which is in itself very disorderly. However, the Chair is not obliged to seek this verification and may simply direct the member to withdraw a remark. The Chair has this discretion. Even if the member does not think the remark was particularly unparliamentary or thinks that they have been misheard entirely, they are required to comply with the direction from the Chair.

I remind members that personally offensive remarks are by their nature subjective. There are various rulings from the Chair about where to draw that line, balancing members’ freedom of speech with the need for respectful debate. Noting that subjectivity, there are some remarks that the Chair would almost always find unparliamentary, such as swearwords, personally disparaging remarks about someone’s character or appearance rather than about their conduct or an allegation that a member is lying, has lied or will lie. I make the point that members interjecting while out of their seat, on or off the mic, are not helping the chamber and should not assume that the benefit of the doubt will be extended by the Chair.

Nicole Werner: On a point of order, Speaker, I raised a matter with you on the last sitting day of last week in regard to rude gestures and mockery made towards me by the member for Eureka during a condolence statement for the deceased policemen, one of whom was a family friend. I had a response from you, so I would appreciate an understanding as to your review and timeline.

The SPEAKER: Member for Warrandyte, I will be asking you to come and see me very shortly.