Points of Order — Tabling of Documents—Question No. 1 to Minister, 29 July

I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I have taken your advice, Mr Assistant Speaker. I have gone to the record and pulled down the Hansard for the day in question regarding the point of order that I raised earlier. There is no mention at all in Hansard of the comment from the Speaker saying “Shut up, Winston.”, contrary to what you thought might be the case. I am going to ask again for the leave of the House to table the transcript from 29 July, question No. 1, where Mr Speaker of the House said—

No, no—I have heard enough. I have sought advice, and I refer the member to McGee, page 54, which says: “Nor can the Speaker be attacked, except by a direct motion of censure of which notice has been given. Any statement in the House reflecting on the Speaker either directly or indirectly is out of order;”—[Interruption] I am quoting from here and this is the ruling I am giving—“a suggestion of partiality on the part of the Speaker or any other occupant of the chair may constitute a contempt of the House. Accusations against the Speaker that reflect on the Speaker in that capacity or in respect of an office held by the Speaker ex officio … may also constitute a contempt.” Mr Mark, there are measures that you can follow. I am not prepared to accept leave to table that document. I have sought advice and that is the end of the matter. There are other avenues available to you.

💬 Ron Mark: Point of order—

The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): Well, if you are going to relitigate what I have already said, Mr Mark—as I said, this is a serious matter.

💬 Ron Mark: It is a point of clarification. I was not aware of that ruling.

The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): Well, I have just quoted it—[Interruption] Order! [Interruption] Order, members! I have given you the page number, and I suggest you seek advice on it. I have sought advice. There are also some Speakers’ rulings that you might like to look at. There are Speakers’ rulings 165/1 and 165/2. I have ruled on the matter and that is the end. We are moving on and I am calling Catherine Delahunty—5 minutes.