Points of Order — Sub Judice Rule—Comments Made Outside House

I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I wonder whether you could clarify some of the protocols around members of Parliament commenting on legal cases, because there has been some concern in the community about the Prime Minister’s comments last week that those arrested in the recent raids had “at the very least, … illicitly used firearms, constructed Molotov cocktails, and trained themselves in how to use napalm …”. Those comments were made in relation to charges that have not been spelt out in any detail yet, and the evidence for which has not been heard in a public court. I wonder whether there are any protocols.

I thank the member. I refer the member to a ruling I gave on 16 October of this year clarifying the sub judice rule in this House, where the Speaker’s jurisdiction is appropriate—not outside the House.