Peter Slipper (Fisher, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Before I call for members’ statements, I would like to take this opportunity to remind honourable members of standing order 66A, which allows interventions during the speeches of other members to ask questions. This procedure is only permitted in the Main Committee. It was designed to make this chamber less formal and more interactive, in keeping with the spirit of those who thought the Main Committee was a good idea.

Interventions are permitted on most speeches—for example, the speeches on the second readings of bills or on any motion such as one to take note or a private member’s motion. So, clearly, it gives members a real opportunity to cross-examine others on the other side of the chamber if the person making the speech is in fact prepared to accept the intervention. However, interventions are not permitted on the speech of a minister moving the second reading of a bill or summing up the debate. They are also not permitted during the shorter contributions such as consideration in detail of a bill, members’ statements or the adjournment debate.

I have been somewhat disappointed, both before and since I was elected as Deputy Speaker, that this procedure has not been used more often. I think it is a golden opportunity for us in the Main Committee, and I would encourage honourable members to take advantage of the standing orders in this respect.