House debates

Tuesday, 12 September 2006

Questions to the Speaker

Sub Judice Rule

3:19 pm

Photo of Harry JenkinsHarry Jenkins (Scullin, Australian Labor Party) Share this | | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, before I raise this matter with you I apologise that I did not raise it as a point of order when Minister Brough was giving the answer to the member for Solomon’s question. I believe the actual matter that the minister went to in the latter part of his question, which caused a bit of disruption within the chamber, is a matter before the Darwin Magistrates Court. If I had realised that at the time, I would have raised with you the sub judice rule to see whether the matter being mentioned by the minister was being done so appropriately, because I believe that not indicating that there had been a charge and that the matter was before the court changed the way in which the chamber would have dealt with the matter.

Photo of David HawkerDavid Hawker (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

I thank the member for Scullin. I have to admit that I was unaware of that, and I note the point that he raises.