BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
Suspension of Standing and Sessional Orders
The Hon. J. P. HANNAFORD (Leader of the Opposition) [12.51]: I move:
That the Standing and Sessional Orders be suspended to allow a motion to be moved forthwith that General Business Notice of Motion No. 1 relating to Order for Papers - Twentieth Century Fox be called on forthwith.
[The President left the chair at 12.51 p.m. The House resumed at 2.15 p.m.]
The Hon. J. P. HANNAFORD (Leader of the Opposition) [2.15]: The approach I commend to the House is support for the bringing on for debate motions of this nature. The purpose of the motion is to allow the House to determine whether the members of the House, and therefore the public, should have access to information held within the agencies of government. The role of the House should be to ensure open and frank discussion on such matters, and the House should be prepared to encourage access to public material. As a matter of good practice, when such motions are put on the paper they should be dealt with expeditiously so that the community knows at the earliest possible date whether it will gain access to such information. When the standing and sessional orders are
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examined at a future time perhaps the program will be adjusted to ensure that when motions of this nature are brought forward they are dealt with as expeditiously as possible.
Question - That standing and sessional orders be suspended - put.
The House divided.
Ayes, 20
Mr Bull Mr Mutch
Mr Corbett Mrs Nile
Mrs Forsythe Rev. Nile
Miss Gardiner Mr Ryan
Mr Gay Mr Samios
Dr Goldsmith Mr Rowland Smith
Mr Hannaford Mr Tingle
Mr Jobling
Mr Kersten Tellers,
Miss Kirkby Mr Cohen
Mr Moppett Mrs Sham-Ho
Noes, 15
Mrs Arena Mr Manson
Dr Burgmann Mr Shaw
Ms Burnswoods Ms Staunton
Mr Dyer Mrs Symonds
Mr Egan Mr Vaughan
Mr Jones Tellers,
Mr Kaldis Mr Obeid
Mr Macdonald Ms Saffin
Pairs
Mrs Chadwick Mrs Isaksen
Mr Lynn Mr Johnson
Dr Pezzutti Mr O'Grady
Question so resolved in the affirmative.
Motion for suspension of standing and sessional orders agreed to.
Order of Business
The Hon. J. P. HANNAFORD (Leader of the Opposition) [2.35]: I move:
That General Business Notice of Motion No. 1 relating to Order for Papers - Twentieth Century Fox be called on forthwith.
Question put.
The House divided.
[In Division]
The Hon. M. R. EGAN: I was in error in calling a division.
Division called off.
Question restated.
Motion agreed to.