Points of Order — Waterview Connection—Statement by Minister of Transport

I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. My point of order is by way of inquiry around the planning of the House to the Leader of the House. I ask whether it is the intention of the Government to make a statement on the Waterview question. We understand from the locals that the decision was to be announced at 3 o’clock, and it is a question of whether the Minister of Transport will make a statement on it to the House.

Mr SPEAKER: That is not a point of order, at all. There is no provision for the member to seek such information under a point of order. I apologise for not allowing the point of order, but it has nothing to do with the order of this House. When a Minister might make an announcement has nothing to do with the order of this House.

I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. [Interruption]

Mr SPEAKER: A point of order is being heard. I urge members to treat it with respect.

Hon TREVOR MALLARD: In the past there has been some flexibility on the part of Speakers for people to inquire of the Leader of the House as to House business, and to ask whether a statement is to be made in the House by a Minister on a particular issue. This is a very serious issue. There is an expectation that the announcement having been made at 3 o’clock, the Minister will make a statement, either now or at the end of questions to members. It was a simple inquiry as to whether the Government intends to grace the House with a statement.

There is no provision under the Standing Orders to ask questions across the House through a point of order. It is true that other Speakers have not worried about the Standing Orders in that regard, but there is actually no mechanism within the Standing Orders to achieve that result.

Mr SPEAKER: I do not need any further assistance. I indulged the member because I felt that I had been pretty hard on him today, and I did not want to be seen to be unfair to him. But the point that the Hon Rodney Hide has made is absolutely valid; there is no provision for such questioning. We come now to questions to members.

I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. [Interruption]

Mr SPEAKER: There will be no interjections.

Hon TREVOR MALLARD: I invite you to look back at previous Speakers’ rulings that allowed such questions, and invite you to consider whether it is only the Standing Orders or whether it is the custom and practice of this House from which the procedures have developed. It is my view that, like all areas of law, it is a combination of both.

We could go round and round in circles forever, I think. In my short time in this role I have tried to be as accommodating as possible in notifying the Opposition of the Government’s intentions. There has been no such notification of this course of action today. Might I suggest also that when you do watch the replay of question time today, you will find you have not been too hard on Trevor Mallard at all.

Mr SPEAKER: I thank the honourable members. I do not think we need to take any further time of the House on this matter.

Question time resumed.