Hazardous Substances and New Organisms(Stockholm Convention) Amendment Bill

I raise a point of order, Mr Chairperson. I raised a point of order prior to the lunch break, when you were not in the Chair—we had another presiding officer at that time. The situation was that I had brought my mug of hot Milo into the Chamber and one of the messengers had tried to wrestle it from me and take it out. I sought clarification from the then presiding officer whether that was permitted, and she said that it was not. I then was issued with a statement from Speaker Jonathan Hunt, dated 30 November 2002, stating articles that are not permitted. It mentioned bags, umbrellas, and briefcases, and it said, in item 5, “food or drink”. Of course, we have water in here—we are allowed to drink water. We are not allowed to bring our lunch or eat a pie, and I understand that is a reasonable provision. I notice that a lot of the Government members regularly chew lollies. That, of course, would come within the definition of food that should be banned, but we have a convention that that is permitted.

The point was that as a member of a minor party or a smaller party I am holding the fort, as it were, today. I needed a hot drink, but I cannot be here, following and participating in the debate, and also having my hot drink. We are allowed to have water. What is the difference between a glass of water and a mug of Milo? I refer to Speaker’s ruling 14/1. This is a ruling brought down by Mr Braybrooke as Chairperson, in 1997. It states: “Eating or drinking a cup of tea is not permitted in the Chamber.” I do not know how we can eat a cup of tea, but that is what our ruling says. It does not ban the drinking of Milo in the Chamber. It only mentions eating or drinking a cup of tea.

This is an important matter. We are under urgency. Members are under a lot of strain, we are missing meals, and we have to have our sustenance. I invited the former presiding officer in the Chair to consider it over the lunch break and come back with a ruling. I notice we have now had a change in presiding officer. I am wondering whether she did discuss it with you. I would certainly like a ruling on whether a mug of Milo is permitted. If it is not, could I put my Milo in a glass?

The CHAIRPERSON (H V Ross Robertson): Interjections are to be terse and to the point—Standing Order 84(3). I think the member has made his point.

No, there are a number of issues. One is the temperature. We can have a cold glass of water, but we cannot have a hot mug of tea.

The CHAIRPERSON (H V Ross Robertson): I understand.

We do not know about cocoa or Milo. If it is based on temperature, what is the temperature? Hot or cold?

It is my practice to have a hot glass of water. I have been having a hot glass of water and steam comes off it. Being an asthmatic, one finds that hot water going through one’s system is a good way of fending it off. I have been doing this for some time. There is that point. Also, can one put Lemsip in the hot water? Does that take it out of the category of water? Would I not be able to drink water if it had Lemsip in it? That brings in the category of tea. What is the difference between hot water with Lemsip and hot water with tea in it? We need a very considered ruling on this matter.

The CHAIRPERSON (H V Ross Robertson): I have heard sufficient. I also listened to the episode prior to lunch. Like the Hon Ken Shirley, I wish to refer to Speaker’s ruling 14/1, made by Mr Geoff Braybrooke. It provides that eating or drinking a cup of tea is not permitted in the Chamber. I consider that restriction extends to all beverages other than the water provided in the Chamber. I regard water as a speaker’s aid. If members wish to eat or drink, there are areas close to the Chamber, such as the lobbies or the cafeteria, where they may do so. I believe that the ruling is aimed at ensuring that the Chamber does not become some sort of restaurant, room, or cafeteria. Members can go elsewhere, if they so wish.

I raise a point of order, Mr Chairperson.

The CHAIRPERSON (H V Ross Robertson): It had better be different. I have made my ruling.

It is just a point of clarification on your ruling, which I certainly do appreciate your making. A valid point was made by Dail Jones regarding temperature—whether water of any temperature can be consumed by a member—and also whether additives can be placed in the water. If you could clarify that for us it would be helpful, because someone such as Dail Jones, who is an asthmatic, from time to time requires not only water but additives to help him. It would be useful to seek your aid in clarifying that situation.

The CHAIRPERSON (H V Ross Robertson): The member has made a good point. The Chamber is a place for the serious conduct of the business of this House. The principle governing activities in the Chamber is whether they disrupt, or have the potential to disrupt, that business, or demean the House in some way. After all, this is Parliament, a debating chamber, and a place where serious business is conducted.

I raise a point of order, Mr Chairperson.

The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (H V Ross Robertson): It had better be something different.

It certainly is different. I appreciate that. You have given us a rule, although it is not particularly clear, on the beverage and water issue. I now seek clarification with regard to the food aspect, in particular as it relates to lozenges, Strepsils, Minties, and various other lollies. I notice that many of the Labour front-benchers chew their cud regularly. That would also be in breach of that Speaker’s ruling. Having dealt with beverages, we now need to address the food side of the equation. The situation could arise where a member wants to dissolve an aspirin in his or her water, which would take us back to the former argument.

The CHAIRPERSON (H V Ross Robertson): I thank the member; he has made his point. I do not want to take points ad nauseum. I am just going to say this. I would not take exception to a member discreetly sucking a peppermint or a throat lozenge, but it should go no further than that.

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