Tuesday, 17 March 2020

Rulings by the Chair

Questions without notice

The SPEAKER (12:08): Further, members, I want to rule on a point of order that was raised by the member for Warrandyte at the completion of the last question time, on the Thursday of the last sitting week. The member raised a concern that members were not immediately resuming their seats when points of order were taken during question time. I do ask members to raise points of order in relation to the order and conduct of the house immediately and not to hold them over. However, as I indicated at the time, there are aspects of the last question time that concern me, and I uphold the point of order and warn all members that when a point of order is taken, the member with the call is to cease their remarks and sit down until the point of order is dealt with.

As I indicated when the point of order was taken, there were several aspects of the operation of question time that were unsatisfactory. A number of members rose to take points of order and then proceeded to debate an answer, repeat a question or make a statement. Some did not even attempt to make a genuine point of order. I warn members today not to abuse the opportunity to raise a point of order.

Furthermore, the level of interjections and hectoring of members who were speaking was not in order, and I ask all members, and those at the table in particular, to set a good example for the rest of the house. Last of all, members should remember to address their remarks through the Chair and not directly to each other.