Wednesday, 30 October 2019

Rulings by the Chair

Member conduct

The SPEAKER (11:01): I want to come back to the house on a point of order that was raised by the Leader of the House yesterday in question time in relation to concerns about the way the member for Warrandyte left the chamber when he was asked to leave the chamber. I have spoken to both the members for Warrandyte and Bayswater and reviewed video footage of the relevant part of the proceedings. I am not able to state conclusively what occurred as the member for Warrandyte left the chamber. By way of a general warning to all members, if a member is ordered to leave the chamber under standing order 124, they should do so in an orderly and respectful way. In the past I have warned members about the way they leave the chamber and reminded them that disorderly conduct after being asked to leave the chamber for disorderly conduct leaves the Chair with no option but to utilise standing order 125 to maintain order.

I also warn all members that shouting at or goading a member who has been asked to leave the chamber is in itself disorderly. Members are warned that they will also risk being removed from the chamber if they do this.

Ms Green: On a point of order, Speaker, just on your report about the member for Warrandyte and that it was inconclusive from what you were able to hear from both members, I was sitting here and I heard exactly what the member for Warrandyte said to the member for Bayswater. It would have been heard clearly in the gallery behind, and I think this sort of behaviour with ‘step outside’ is inappropriate. It was clearly heard.

The SPEAKER: I do not uphold the point of order. The matter has been extensively canvassed over the last 24 hours or so with various members in this place. I have made investigations and I have ruled on the matter.