Points of Order — Speaker’s Ruling—Political Parties: Offensive Term

I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I wonder whether you have had time yet to give us a ruling on the question of whether a description of a political party necessarily includes members in the House. You did say at the time, despite Mr Prebble’s protestations, that you would consider it. I am asking you to look at the precedent set by Speaker Hunt when the Alliance had a significant dispute, which was effected in this House by Mr Anderton claiming to lead the parliamentary party and being separate from the party as a whole. It is pretty important, because the rule that you relied upon was set in 1914, and I think that Mr Hunt’s ruling overrides it.

💬 Madam SPEAKER: I am happy to look at that for the member and report back.