Arch Bevis (Brisbane, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Aviation and Transport Security) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I have a question to you that follows what appears to be the new precedent established yesterday and just a few moments ago. It goes to page 333 of the House of Representatives Practice, dealing with a debate on a motion of suspension, in which it is recorded:

The Chair has consistently ruled that Members may not use debate on a motion to suspend standing orders as a means of putting before the House, or canvassing, matters outside the question as to whether or not standing orders should be suspended.

Is it your intention to create another new precedent in dealing with that particular practice of the House? What advice do you propose to give to members who are subject to combined procedural motions and censures, such as the way the motion yesterday was moved? What facilities of the House are available to any member, either now or in the future, to defend themselves in a full debate in relation to the censure moved against them, given the precedent clearly established and referred to at page 333 of Practice?

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Brisbane for his question. I will make a couple of points in response. First of all, clearly the House did just debate that very point in the motion of dissent. I will also say, as I said earlier in answer to the question from the Manager of Opposition Business, that where these two points are combined into one motion clearly it would be preferable in such a situation for that to be dealt with by two motions. But, if the House chooses to do that or wishes to reconsider that, it would probably be preferable if it were referred to the Procedure Committee for clarification.

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Manager of Opposition Business in the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Can I take it that that will be referred to the Procedure Committee as a result?

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I would be happy for that to happen.

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It would appear that there is agreement.