Points of Order — Signage in the Chamber—New Zealand Labour Party

I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. You will recall yesterday that the Business Committee indicated that the use of the boxes with the Labour Party display on them was permissible in the short term. I refer you to the Speaker’s ruling on visual aids on page 53. There is a ruling here that basically makes it very clear that such a visual aid cannot obscure a member from the view of the Speaker. I notice looking down at the back of the House that there is a member, Ms Mackey, who is completely invisible because of the box in front of her.

💬 Madam SPEAKER: As the member knows, that is not a valid point of order. The member knows that that matter has already been dealt with.

I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. My real reason for raising that point of order was the assurance that unattended boxes would be removed from the House.

💬 Madam SPEAKER: It would be very helpful if the member would make his point of order clearly instead of trying to score points. As with all rules, members have to be informed of that through their caucus, and after the break the rule will be strictly enforced.

Question time resumed.