Legislative Assembly Hansard 1985
Queensland Parliamentary Debates [Hansard] Legislative Assembly TUESDAY, 26 NOVEMBER 1985 Electronic reproduction of original hardcopy Privilege 26 November 1985 2701 TUESDAY, 26 NOVEMBER 1985 Mr SPEAKER (Hon. J. H. Wamer, Toowoomba South) read prayers and took the chair at 11 a.m. PRIVILEGE Criticism of Mr Speaker; Referral to Select Committee of Privileges Mr WARBURTON (Sandgate—Leader of the Opposition) (11.1 a.m.): I rise on a matter of privilege. In doing so, I refer you, Mr Speaker, to Standing Order No. 46, which states— "An urgent Motion, directly conceming the privileges of the House, shall take precedence of other Motions as well as of Orders of the Day." Because of the public criticism of the Speaker of the Parliament by a member of the Govemment as a result of last Thursday's events in this House, it seems to me that a question of privilege arises. For a Govemment member to say publicly that the Speaker is unable to manage the job, and for that member to be publicly critical of the Speaker's performance is a matter of grave concem. As a result of those comments, the Speaker has been quoted as saying that he was aware that two Ministers were mnning round the House lobbying to have him replaced. Mr Speaker, the public attack on your position, together with your response, which implies that certain National Party Ministers are undermining your position, necessitates discussion and relevant responsible action by members in this place. I hope that it is not necessary to remind the Premier and Treasurer and aU other members that the Speaker holds the position because of the Parliament and not because of the National Party Govemment.
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