Page: 4348
Privilege
Mr SOURIS (Upper Hunter—Leader of the National Party) [3.40 p.m.]: I raise a matter of privilege. It is a sad day when the Premier of our State answers a question completely fictitiously, full of false and inaccurate statements.
Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Leader of the National Party must explain how his ability to perform his functions as a member of Parliament has been impaired by the actions of the Premier. He should not enter into a debate.
Mr SOURIS: The Premier answered a question in which he referred to an online interview that I conducted. I have a printout of the online interview, and I have searched for the references made by the Premier. My reputation—
Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Leader of the National Party must advise the Chair how the fair and reasonable performance of his duties has been interfered with by the actions of the Premier. Thus far he has not done so.
Mr SOURIS: Part of the proper functioning of this Parliament and of our democracy is the ability to communicate honestly and accurately with the public. The communications I have undertaken with members of the public via the Internet stand on their own record; they are available in a factual way. It impairs both my ability to act as a member of Parliament and the proper working of our democracy if the Premier should abuse the privilege he has as a member of this House by creating a totally fictitious and artificial answer to a question which did not exist. There are no such references as those referred to by the Premier. He should hang his head in shame. My privilege has been impaired by what has happened in the House.
Mr SPEAKER: Order! The matter complained of by the Leader of the National Party is such that I do not believe his authority or his ability to perform his duties has been interfered with. There is no prima facie case of a breach of privilege.