Sunday, October 17, 2004
The new Speaker - a woofer or a tweeter?
Bishop makes pitch for Speaker’s job.
Coalition MPs will choose a new Speaker before Parliament sits next month.
Queensland Liberal David Jull and Victorian MP Bruce Hawker are favourites to replace Andrew.
Federal Liberal Party backbencher Bronwyn Bishop has vowed to lift the standard of parliamentary behaviour if she is appointed Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Mrs Bishop says people want politicians to be better behaved during Question Time.
Asked why she would make a good Speaker Mrs Bishop said her strong knowledge of the standing orders and background as a lawyer would make her the best candidate.
“What you need in the Parliament is some strength and some authority,” Mrs Bishop said.
“I think a thorough understanding of the standing orders is pretty important and knowing that the standing orders are actually derived from our Constitution.”
CATHERINE MCGRATH: But that didn't last long, more points of order, most notably from Bronwyn Bishop. Not once…
BRONWYN BISHOP: That question is not to do with the business of state with which the Treasurer is connected.
CATHERINE MCGRATH: …but twice.
BRONWYN BISHOP: I would put it to you that the Member for Fraser has just shown himself to be vexatious in pursuing this issue…
(laughter from the House)
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE: Member for Mackellar will resume her seat.
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop interjecting—
The SPEAKER —The member for MacKellar will resume her seat. Let me offer some clarification for all members of the House.
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop —The additional point of order is that the concluding remarks in the question were not necessary to the asking of the question and were out of order in terms of the standing orders.
The SPEAKER —I did not note anything in the concluding remarks that caused me alarm. I will check the Hansard and report back to the member for Mackellar if I feel I have been in error.
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop —Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order. The content of that question clearly makes allegations. It is clearly out of order and should be ruled as such. It should be dealt with on a substantive motion.
The SPEAKER —I will allow the question to stand.
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop —Mr Speaker, I raise a point of order. Standing order 146 says that, once a question has been answered fully, it may not be put again. I ask you to uphold that standing order.
The SPEAKER —I am very conscious of standing order 146 and I am aware that this is the third occasion on which the question has been asked. On each occasion it has been couched in different terms and I have allowed it to stand.
What was that Bronnie said again? — “I think a thorough understanding of the standing orders is pretty important.”
Bronnie was once touted as a future prime minister. Now she's touting herself as the new speaker. Wasn't John Elliot once touted as a future prime minister? Seems to me all that touting stuff doesn't ever seem to come to much.
Don't think the member for MacKellar is likely to change that any time soon.
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