House debates Questions to the Speaker
Speaker’s Panel
Anthony Albanese Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House
3:34 pm
Mr Speaker, I have a question to you. You tabled correspondence about the people who help to assist chair the parliament. Is it the case that only government members have nominated for the Speaker’s panel?
Harry Jenkins Speaker
The warrant stands as the warrant, and you can peruse that. There will be other procedures that I will have to go through. It is a continuing process. The names are the names.
Christopher Pyne Sturt, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training
On a point of order, Mr Speaker. As business has passed since question time and documents have been called on, on what basis are questions to the Speaker now part of the arrangements for the sittings this afternoon? That time has passed.
Harry Jenkins Speaker
A question was asked about some action that I just took. I have given the answer. I think I will move on.
Anthony Albanese Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House
I just ask a question: would the Speaker write to the Leader of the Opposition asking him to fulfil his obligations for the proper functioning of the House?
Harry Jenkins Speaker
There is no question. It is the end of the proceedings. I will be continuing to gather names for the Speaker’s panel because I do not think that we are going to get far with only four members. There is a need for more and I will be taking action to find suitable people to be on the Speaker’s panel.
Unidentified interjection - Hansard doesn't record who said this
Honourable member interjecting—
Harry Jenkins Speaker
Order! The only embarrassment is if I keep being interrupted.