Thursday, 26 May 2022

Rulings by the Chair

Constituency questions

The PRESIDENT (18:38): I have considered Mr Gepp’s constituency question from earlier today. Our standing orders do not give much guidance about what is an acceptable constituency question, other than it must be about a member’s electorate. There are rulings, including rulings I have given, that a constituency question must not be about a statewide matter unless the member can draw a link between the statewide matter and a matter in their own electorate. In this case I believe Mr Gepp has drawn that link and the question is in order, although it does sail close to the wind. But I also want to warn members that constituency questions are not to be used as an opportunity to attack or cast aspersions on other members. I would not like to see that become common practice. The purpose of a constituency question is to bring a genuine local matter to the attention of a minister. I ask all members to bear this in mind.