Robertson H V Ross: Smoke-free Environments Amendment Bill — Referral to Health Committee Procedure In Committee 
Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume 
Robertson H V Ross: Smoke-free Environments Amendment Bill — Referral to Health Committee Procedure In Committee 
[Sitting date: 15 October 2003. Volume:612;Page:9222. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
The CHAIRPERSON (H V Ross Robertson) 
: The first point I want to make is that Standing Order 178 has been suspended until the end of this year and possibly into March 2004. The second point is that under Speaker’s ruling 23/3 I have already called Mr Dunne and therefore he has the call. I have taken note that Mr Jones is seeking the call. 
Dail Jones 
: I raise a point of order Mr Chairperson. That Standing Order as you quite correctly say has been suspended but as I understand it it has been suspended by the Business Committee to enable those people who are spokesmen on a particular issue to take consecutive calls. 
Gerry Brownlee 
: Only. 
Dail Jones 
: Only spokesmen. I am not sure that Mr Dunne is the spokesman on this issue; he is the leader of United Future but I am not sure whether he is the spokesman. So to give Mr Dunne the call on that basis when he is not the spokesman or to give any other members another call when they are not spokesmen is not correct use in my view of the suspension of that Standing Order. I hope that members make it clear that they are spokesmen on an issue when they want to take advantage of the suspension of 
that Standing Order so that you are not confused. 
Gerry Brownlee 
: I first want to say I think—[ 
Interruption 
] 
The CHAIRPERSON (H V Ross Robertson) 
: There will be silence when a point of order is being heard—Speaker’s ruling 16/6. 
Gerry Brownlee 
: Well there you go. I think it is quite extraordinary—and I want to express the gratitude of the Committee—that we do have someone in the Chair who does know the Standing Orders. It is actually something that a good number of members have commented on and we do appreciate that. 
The CHAIRPERSON (H V Ross Robertson) 
: Would the member come to the point. [ 
Interruption 
] 
Gerry Brownlee 
: Hang on! I think we do have a slight difficulty. You have ruled; you cannot change that. However the interpretation of the suspended Standing Order the interpretation of the statement around the suspension is something you might like to have another look at. It is designed to ensure that the Standing Order that says seniority in the House is to be respected etc. is followed whether or not a person has already spoken but the suspension is also about recognising that minor parties’ spokespersons who may have spoken before in a debate have a particular interest and should be given the opportunity to speak again. It was an act of generosity I might say on the part of the larger parties in Opposition but we do expect that it will be interpreted correctly. But as I say we do thank you for your extraordinary command of both the Standing Orders and particularly Speakers’ rulings. 
The CHAIRPERSON (H V Ross Robertson) 
: Thank you very much. 
Hon PETER DUNNE 
: Can I speak to the point of order Mr Chairperson? 
The CHAIRPERSON (H V Ross Robertson) 
: I have already ruled and I now intend to call the member. 
Hon PETER DUNNE 
: Can I raise a fresh point of order Mr Chairperson? 
The CHAIRPERSON (H V Ross Robertson) 
: The member may raise a fresh point of order but I have already ruled. 
Hon PETER DUNNE 
: I am grateful for your having given me the call but I am cognisant of the point raised by Mr Jones and others and I think that when I sought the call several members were seeking the call. Before proceeding I simply wish to seek your assurance that their rights to gain a call have not been compromised by your giving me the call in this instance—in other words that they will get a call if they seek it. 
The CHAIRPERSON (H V Ross Robertson) 
: Thank you Mr Dunne. You have made your point. I am the sole judge as to whom I call and I have already indicated to Mr Jones that he will get a call. 
Hon PETER DUNNE 
: Mr Chairperson I point out that you place me in somewhat of a dilemma because this is a wide-ranging debate and Mr Speaker has already ruled that there should be the widest possible expression of opinion. I have spoken on this part before and I have spoken not infrequently on aspects of this bill and although I am keen to take another call—and if you insist on my doing so I will happily do so—I do not want to infringe on the rights of any other members. So if you cannot give me an assurance that other members who are seeking the call will be accommodated I feel that in fairness to them I have no option but to sit down at this point.