Points of Order — Oral Questions—Prefacing of Questions

Point of order, Mr Speaker. Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I thought it best that I wait until oral questions had concluded before I raised this point. Earlier, the MP for Ikaroa-Rāwhiti took the opportunity, as local MP and spokesperson for cyclone recovery, on this, the day after the one-year anniversary of Cyclone Gabrielle, to acknowledge those that have been impacted. Your ruling was that no member should say something before they ask the question. That’s fine, although I would ask that you reflect on other occasions, most notably yesterday when you were wished a happy Valentine’s Day and the same warning was not given. We just ask for some consistency and perhaps some reflection on it.

Well, I did comment on the greeting that was sent my way, and I think the comment I made somewhat sunk in that it was inappropriate. Consistency, I agree, but the statement today was somewhat lengthy, and it was only on that basis that I spoke. It was also the member’s first time asking a question, I think, so that’s another aspect to it.