QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
Mr TIM WILSON (Goldstein) (14:10): My question is to the Prime Minister. Labor lied to Australians about plans— The SPEAKER: Order! I'm going to deal with this issue.
I'm not comfortable with that term. I refer to a Speaker's ruling on 18 February 2002 with the reference of parties lying. I raised this yesterday.
If we're going to have this term being used—Deputy Speaker Causley informed the member he cannot refer to either political parties or individuals as being liars. I just want you to be careful with that language. The manager?
Mr Tehan: Speaker, this is what you said yesterday: Order! I just want to deal with the word 'lie'. We just want to make sure that it is not directed to a person.
Former speakers have directed it to parties and governments. I'm just going to be careful with that word today to make sure it's not directed to an individual. That wasn't directed to an individual; that was directed to the collective.
The SPEAKER: Now I've done further research because you raised it with me. Mr Tehan: Speaker, just to your— The SPEAKER: Resume your seat. That word is being yelled out continuously during the debates, and I haven't called it out yet.
I'm just saying I don't want that term used. Following on from the research that I've done regarding referring to political parties, I'm just going to ask for that to be tempered. If there's another way that you can rephrase your question, it would assist the House.
It is not helpful for that term to be used. I'm sure the member for Goldstein is understanding what I'm saying. I'm just not happy with that term being used at all in the chamber.
Members on my left have been yelling that term out non-stop. It's not everyone, but they have been doing it during the debate, and I'm not happy with it. It is about context and it is about the circumstance.
I'm just asking everyone in the House to not use that term. The manager? Mr Tehan: Can I ask you to have a look at Practice on this.
A government member interjecting— Mr Tehan: Can I make my point without being interrupted. Government members interjecting— The SPEAKER: He's entitled to make the point. Mr Tehan: I'd just like to make two points on this please, Speaker.
The first is that you referred to Deputy Speaker Causley. If you look at Speakers, you'll see Speakers have allowed this collective approach. I think it's really important that, in this parliament, we don't get pressure from certain people which then causes changes.
I think this is really important. The second thing is it's actually true. The SPEAKER: Resume your seat.
Honourable members interjecting— The SPEAKER: We'll handle this. We'll deal with it. I want the member for Goldstein to ask his question.
The Leader of the House. Mr Burke: Just to the point of order that's been raised—there are two different ways words can be ruled out. They can be ruled out on the basis that they're personal reflections.
I think that was the ruling you gave on Tuesday as to whether or not that turn of phrase would be a personal reflection. It would not be. There's a second concept of unparliamentary terms.
The Causley ruling says that that is what this is. The SPEAKER: On page 178, Practice does give discretionary powers regarding question time. I'm exercising those powers.
I'm just going to ask the House not to use that term. I think it's in the best interest for both sides not to be referring to any individuals, people or parties using that term. I think it's a dangerous precedent and I think it's a dangerous area.
The member for Goldstein is going to ask his question and not use that word. That will assist the House. Mr TIM WILSON: My question is to the Prime Minister.
Labor misled, deceived and 'untruthed' Australians about plans to tax them more. Will the Prime Minister rule out changing his mind about introducing a death tax? Ms Doyle interjecting— The SPEAKER: Order!
Members on my right! The member for Aston will leave the chamber under 94a! It's highly disorderly to interject in that manner.
The member for Aston then left the chamber.