Points of Order — Leave for House to Request Apology—Unparliamentary Language

I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. Pursuant to Standing Order 4(1) and Speaker’s ruling 1/2, and recognising the limitations of Speaker’s ruling 1/5, I seek leave for the House, being the master of its own affairs, to request rather than require of the Prime Minister that he withdraw comments that other members have taken offence to.

💬 Mr SPEAKER: Can the member please repeat the Standing Order he is referring to.

Standing Order 4(1).

💬 Mr SPEAKER: 41?

💬 Hon Member: Speakers’ rulings.

💬 Mr SPEAKER: Oh, a Speaker’s ruling, not Standing Orders?

Standing Order 4(1), Speaker’s ruling 1/2, and Speaker’s ruling 1/5.

💬 Mr SPEAKER: It is very confusing to understand what the member is doing. Can the member just state it again clearly. I will consider whether it is in order to put the leave, and then I will put the leave if it is in order to do so.

In your response to my colleague Denis O’Rourke earlier—

💬 Mr SPEAKER: Order! Can we just have a repeat—[Interruption] Order! I am going to help the member. Can the member just repeat slowly and clearly what he said earlier, so we can all look at our references. If the leave is in order, I will then put the leave; if it is not, I will not. If the leave is in order, I will put the leave, and it will be over to the House.

I seek leave for the House, being the master of its own affairs, to request rather than require of the Prime Minister that he withdraw comments made yesterday to which members took offence.

💬 Mr SPEAKER: I am going to put the leave. I think it will be dealt with. Leave is sought to take that course of action. Is there any objection? There is.

Question time resumed.