Points of Order — Oral Questions—Reflections on Speaker

I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker.

💬 Mr SPEAKER: Separate point of order, Mr Peters ?

It’s a separate point of order. I’m concerned about your comment about, for example, one member of the House expressing demur to a suggestion being put up by another member of the House, and that that would also transport all the way to the Speaker. Now, we all remember, in somewhat more chauvinistic days, when the Speaker was described as Parliament’s man. That sort of meant that the rest of us might demur but that you would not, unless you were making a ruling on the Standing Orders and Speakers’ rulings. What I’m concerned about is if you could perhaps explain to us how you got there, sometime—not today, but sometime by next week.

No, no, I’m quite happy to do it now. While I am Speaker and I am, I think we could probably say, “Parliament’s person” and, generally, will reflect the view of other members, I am also a member of the Parliament. I retain many of the rights that members do, and that includes not giving leave to particular things.

I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. While I understand and respect your semantic point in relation to question No. 5 today—for example, about reports received—what I am trying to do, though, is make a wider point in relation to both questions and answers, from both Government members and Opposition members, really, about it cutting both ways. And that’s where I’m—

The member will resume his seat. Twice, at least, yesterday, or twice this week, the member has made comments that have reflected on me. Last week, the Hon David Parker did and received, I think, a relatively severe dressing down for doing it. The member can receive an assurance that I look very carefully at these questions and I do spend time contemplating the supplementaries that come. Members on both sides of the House are getting used to some new rules for them because they’re playing different positions, if you like, and it will take some settling down. But the member can be assured that I am very unhappy with suggestions of uneven treatment, whether they come from a relatively senior Government Minister or the shadow Leader of the House.

I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I’ve only raised with you—I don’t think I have ever sought to make that allegation or suggestion. I’m simply trying to, through points of order, clarify and ensure that we understand and we’re getting there on the way forward. But I’m certainly seeking to—

The member will resume his seat. I suggest that the first thing the member does, if he’s unsure about these things, is that he doesn’t raise it on the floor of the House, and that he has a good read of Speakers’ Rulings.