Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Hansard source

I am ready to respond when the member for Sydney ceases interjecting. The member for Charlton—I am sorry the member for Rankin—I am sorry I am not doing that deliberately; I am really not. The member for Rankin is making a similar point. As I pointed out, former Speaker Jenkins, back in 2008 and again in 2012, addressed some of these matters. He had this to say: 'It should be done in a careful way'—I am quoting former Speaker Jenkins—'and in the interests of a free-flowing debate I am going to hear the minister's answer. I want to monitor the minister's answer, but I think a discussion of alternative policies is important in a free-ranging debate. Otherwise it is really going to curtail the answers of ministers.' Similarly, I do not want to curtail the asking of questions, either.

See this speech in context