House debates

Thursday, 30 September 2010

Questions to the Speaker

Speaker’s Panel

3:34 pm

Photo of Anthony AlbaneseAnthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House) Share this | | Hansard source

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?

Photo of Harry JenkinsHarry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

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.

Photo of Christopher PyneChristopher Pyne (Sturt, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training) Share this | | Hansard source

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.

Photo of Harry JenkinsHarry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

A question was asked about some action that I just took. I have given the answer. I think I will move on.

Photo of Anthony AlbaneseAnthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House) Share this | | Hansard source

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?

Photo of Harry JenkinsHarry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

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.

Honourable Member:

Honourable member interjecting

Photo of Harry JenkinsHarry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

Order! The only embarrassment is if I keep being interrupted.