Points of Order — Parliamentary Complex—Use of Facilities

I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. It relates to an issue that was raised with you yesterday. It is an unusual and rare occurrence for me to do so. I was not able to be in the House yesterday. I have had the opportunity to review your ruling, and I rise to ask whether you would think again about the ruling that you made. My colleague David Cunliffe raised a point of order with you about the booking of rooms in the precincts of Parliament.

I am afraid that is not a matter for a point of order. I made that very clear yesterday. Although I accepted some points of order on the matter yesterday, I am making it very clear that I will not accept further points of order on it. It has nothing to do with order of this House, and that is the end of the matter.

I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. This relates to your substantive ruling on the use of the parliamentary precincts for multiparty events. The reason I raise it here is that this is a matter for the privileges of—

The member will resume his seat. I have made it very clear that the bookings for the use of the buildings on the parliamentary precincts are nothing to do with the order of this House. In fact, the matter that concerns members wishing to use facilities on this precinct is not parliamentary business. It has nothing to do with the business of this House, and that is why the matter cannot be raised by way of a point of order. I will not allow this matter to take up further time in the House.

I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker.

It had better be a different point of order, Mr Anderton.

💬 Hon JIM ANDERTON: The issue then is whether the privileges of the House are matters for the House itself to consider. If they are, then why can a matter like this not be raised here, because it is a serious matter of privilege if members of Parliament cannot use the facilities of the House for—

The Hon Jim Anderton is flouting my ruling, and the member will not continue to do that. What political parties wish to do in this place is nothing to do with the business of this House. I have made that very clear. I have received advice on the matter; it is not just a rush of blood to my head. I have received serious advice on the matter. My ruling has no implications for the privileges of this House whatsoever, and I have made that very clear. I will not tolerate any further abuse of the House.