Points of Order — Debate—Relevance of Speeches

I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I take this opportunity at the end of the evening to just raise a matter that I hope the presiding officers team could give some consideration to. Members throughout the Committee stage have witnessed a number of rulings around the relevancy question that have been made by presiding officers. I completely accept that it is up to presiding officers to determine the relevance of speeches being made by members, but some members, particularly on this side, would feel as though perhaps the relevancy rules in the Standing Orders and Speaker’s rulings may be being applied somewhat differently to what those members are used to. Many members have been challenged on their relevancy today—senior members, including the Hon Ruth Dyson. I just wonder whether the presiding officers could give some consideration to that matter, and perhaps discuss it with the whips and see whether we can attempt to comply with the expectations of the presiding officers a bit better in the future.

I can assure the member that the presiding officers will do all they can to ensure the smooth running of the House.

The House adjourned at 9.57 p.m.