Points of Order — Questions for Written Answer—System Breakdown

I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I am seeking some guidance from you. I understand from correspondence that has just been passed to me that a problem has been identified with the system for lodging questions for written answer. I am advised that the system is presently refusing to accept questions when they are signed electronically by members. The text completely disappears, and repeated attempts to enter the questions have ended in the same result. Bearing in mind the very vague possibility that this could be the last day to lodge written questions, two issues arise. Firstly, what remedy is available to members who are presently, and have previously been, involved in lodging written questions for the next sitting day, which presumably will not be until February? Secondly, what consequence does that have for the time limits around lodging those questions prior to the House rising—whether that be Saturday, Tuesday, or Wednesday of next week? The question arises as to what remedies are being made available to members, particularly as we are nearing the end of the year. I seek the Speaker’s guidance to members who are presently attempting to lodge questions as to how that process will pan out. In particular, I seek an assurance that they will not be disadvantaged by what appears to be, from the correspondence I have seen, a problem with the system. I seek your guidance.

I thank the member for raising that. It is a technical issue and it is being worked on right at this moment. The intention is not to inconvenience or disadvantage members at all. As to my advice to members, I think they should just proceed along their normal course.

I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I wonder whether it would be appropriate for the Speaker to advise the House when that process has been remedied, and in particular to emphasise the fact that no member will be disadvantaged as a result of the glitch.

Absolutely. That information will be given as soon as we can, which will be in the not too distant future.