Queensland Parliamentary Debates [Hansard] Legislative Assembly THURSDAY, 19 OCTOBER 1961 Electronic reproduction of original hardcopy Questions [19 OCTOBER] Questions 827 Rules of the House. Responsibility in other respects rests entirely with the member who proposes to ask the question. In relation to this question, I should also mention that a great deal of responsibility concerning notice of questions to Parliament, and to Ministers, lies in the hands of the Press. It has disturbed me recently to see notices of questions published in the Press prior to their appearing on the notice paper of this House, prior to their being edited by the Clerks at the table or by myself, and prior to any answer being given by the Minister. In that connection, whilst not denying the freedom of the Press, my attention has again unfortunately been drawn to the query that raised this question this morning, the question asked by the hon. member for South Brisbane, wherein a local daily newspaper has published the question in full on a prominent page in the paper, but has unfor­ tunately published only part of the answer and that in a very obscure position in the same paper. The question appeared at page 7. The denial, as it was termed by the paper, appeared at page 52. I have repeated the Minister's answer to the question this morning in the hope that THURSDAY, 19 OCTOBER, 1961 the Press will publish the answer in full. In reference to this matter, I feel, in view of my concern that many of these questions Mr. SPEAKER (Hon. D. E. Nicholson, contain imputations of improper practice not Murrumba) took the chair at 11 a.m. only against Ministers and members of this House, but also against reputable citizens, QUESTIONS that this is a very opportune time for me to quote to the House a section of a state­ MR. SPEAKER'S STATEMENT ment made by the Acting Premier of the day in reply to an hon. member's question Mr. SPEAKER: Honourable Members: regarding question time in this House. It has been my unpleasant duty to disallow a question relating to the issue of liquor The Hon. V. C. Gair, in answer to a licences, notice of which was given by the question, raised these points- hon. member for South Brisbane yesterday. "The object of questions is to inform My reasons for disallowing the question Members of the House on matters on which are:- they seek information; the object of the ( 1) That it is my opm10n that the sub­ Press in reporting the questions and answers ject matter was adequately dealt with yester­ is similarly to inform the public, not all of day when the Minister for Justice replied to whom have access to the published Parlia­ the question stated, in the second section of mentary reports. I draw the attention of No. 2 of the answer given- Honourable Members to the fact that when "However, to remove any misconception a question is answered in this Chamber that could arise from the asking of this all Members of the House have the ques­ question I might add that, in terms of the tion before them when the answer is given, Bill at present in course of passage the Member who has given notice of the through the House, all questions of the question rising in his place and drawing the granting of licenses will be matters for attention of the House to the question on determination, not by the Minister but by the Business Sheet, indicating it by number. the Licensing Commission. Furthermore If some days have elapsed before the there is nothing in the Bill to permit the answer is tendered, an Honourable Member installation of a liquor bar in any is asked to re-state his question; finally restaurant whether licensed or otherwise." when 'Hansard' is published, the question is not printed in the Report of the Pro­ (2) That it contains inferences and impu- ceedings of the day on which notice of it tations not only against Ministers, but also was given, but of the day on which it was against a private member. answered. The question and answer are I should point out to hon. members that printed together. To do otherwise could be the Speaker's responsibility in regard to quite unfair, because questions can and questions is limited to compliance with the have been asked in this Chamber reflecting 828 Questions [ASSEMBLY] Questions on the integrity of individuals, as did the that, if allegations of this kind can be shown questions under consideration. To publish by a proper answer by the person concerned, the questions containing such inferences, that itself would expose to the public the disassociated from the conclusive replies degree to which some member or members subsequently given, creates the danger that have been responsible for reckless or irre­ an allegation may be made and widely sponsible statements and they would be dis­ publicised, while the refutation may never credited in the public mind, but to take away be published, or if published may never be the right to ask questions of public interest seen. The Press would do well to follow is indeed something which must be viewed Parliamentary procedure in this regard, and with very serious concern. in the interests of its readers, apart from any other consideration, to publish question On the question of Press publicity on these and answer together." matters I would point out that it may suit And, I might add, the complete answers to the Opposition, on very rare occasions, that the questions that have been asked. questions which may be expunged from the notice paper do appear in the Press but, Mr. DUGGAN (Toowoomba West­ conversely, there are often occasions when Leader of the Opposition) (11. 7 a.m.): Mr. a question that has been asked by the Opposi­ Speaker, you have raised a very important tion does not appear in the Press at all, nor matter of privilege. I regret that very often even a reference to the person who asks the hon. members are placed in the position in question. For instance, yesterday I asked which I find myself this morning of not a question of very great importance, in my having been able to examine thoroughly all view, for reasons which will become apparent the implications of a very important state­ ment such as you have made. At the outset in due course, about some steel supplies to I point out that my personal desire is to Queensland, and the Brisbane "Telegraph" accord you the fullest measure of co-opera­ did not couple my name with the question at tion in seeing affairs are discussed and pro­ all, but merely gave the Premier's answer, ceedings conducted in accordance with Today "The Courier-Mail" acknowledged that Standing Orders and the high standard set by I had asked the Premier the question. this and the Mother of Parliaments. But I should like to point out, however, in regard There are other occasions when, because to some of the observations that you have of public importance, questions are addressed made this morning, that in my opinion the to Ministers by the Opposition, and the Opposition should be afforded the oppor­ courtesy of answering them in the House has tunity of ventilating a viewpoint so that it not been extended to us. They are answered may be placed on record. outside the House, and we hear about them in Parliament the following day. I concede Mr. SPEAKER: Order! I trust the hon. that in many instances that is done because gentleman is not going to debate the deletion there are certain situations where considera­ of the question. I have no objection to his tions of immediacy may justify a question making a statement, but the matter of the being answered, but very often when that deletion of the question cannot be debated. course is taken the Opposition is not given any credit for directing public attention to Mr. DUGGAN: I am dealing with the a matter of importance. Unfortunately that matter of publication by the Press of answers happens very often, and not just occasionally. to questions. I have no desire to enter into The question is asked, and we read in the any argument with you on the matter of Press that the Minister has virtually answered deletion of a question; my desire is to help the question outside Parliament. In addition, you. I am pointing out, however, that on this although at times I believe we do not subject considerable rights are involved. For receive from the Press as much help as we instance, the suggestion has been made that might expect as the Opposition, neverthe­ it would be improper to ask questions about less, I think we must be very careful to see a matter that is not contained in a Bill. A that we do not unduly restrict the Press on Bill does not become the law of the land what the Press may consider are matters of until it is passed, and, although acceptance great public importance. Nevertheless, by the Government of amendments from this aggrieved persons, if they are in the Govern­ side of the Chamber is an unlikely con­ ment, have great resources available to them tingency, amendments may be moved to the for taking proper action. While on this sub­ Liquor Acts Amendment Bill, so that tech­ ject it seems to me, without being disruptive, nically it is within the competence of Parlia­ or talking about a matter that is sub-judice, ment to amend or reject the proposal.