Points of Order — Party Vote—Health (National Cervical Screening Programme) Amendment Bill

I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. Just towards the end of the Committee stage, as the Chairman was leaving the Chair—and he did so quite correctly—a point of order was taken by a member of the Greens, who indicated that he had endeavoured to vote against the bill, but, for whatever reason, had not been heard, or, perhaps, did not express himself, etc. I just want to point out that any party or member at any time can seek leave to correct a vote if they wish to do so, and the member might want to take that into account at some stage.

I did in fact seek to register a vote against. I said “The Noes have it.” but I was not heard. I sought a party vote, but I am a little new to this place. I noticed that when Mr Carter sought a point of order he was ignored, as well. So I was not heard.

The member is seeking leave, then?

💬 MIKE WARD: I am seeking leave to change the vote for the Greens.

There was no vote.

💬 MIKE WARD: I seek leave for a vote—because I did so at the time.

There was no vote. What the member could do is seek leave to recommit the bill, and we would have to go back into Committee and take the vote in Committee.

I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker, I know that the House, at the end of the day, can do just about anything it wants, I guess, by leave, but you may need to take advice from the Clerk. But I wondered, in the circumstances, whether it is possible to seek leave to amend the records in order to show that the Greens did want their vote recorded. That might be an easier way than recommitting the bill. I do not know that anyone would be keen to go back into Committee. But the member could seek leave. It may mean we have to suspend the Standing Orders, and I do not know that we would agree to that, necessarily. But, anyway, it is just a thought.

The member could seek leave, but nobody voted. There was no vote—that is what I am saying. So the member would have to seek leave for there to be a full vote.

I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I draw the attention of the House to the fact that that vote was on the title. It seems to me to be a total waste of time to go back to the title. The Greens will have their opportunity in due course to vote fully against the bill.

That really is for the House to decide, on leave being sought. If Mr Ward wants to test that, remembering that anyone can deny leave, that is his right.

💬 Peter Brown: I will be denying leave.

In view of the fact that Peter Brown has already said he will not permit it, there is no point in going ahead. So I will leave it.

OK. Thank you.