QUESTIONS TO THE SPEAKER

Mr TEHAN (Wannon—Manager of Opposition Business) (15:25): Speaker, obviously it goes to the essence of democracy in this place that we can ask questions of the government and that we know when the microphone is going to be switched off and when it's not going to be. Government members interjecting— Mr TEHAN: No, this is critically important, and I'm asking this.

I have met Tony Smith. Government members interjecting— Mr TEHAN: I have met Tony Smith. I have.

Why won't you, for once, let someone talk without your interjections? The SPEAKER: Manager, what is the question to me? Mr TEHAN: The question is: would you please be able to come back to the opposition around the rules which dictate how the microphone is turned on and off in this place?