Wednesday, 16 August 2023

Announcements

FIFA Women’s World Cup

The SPEAKER (09:33): Members will be aware of the longstanding practice of this house concerning standards of dress. I advise the house that today I intend to relax these rules and that members will be allowed to show their support for the Matildas while in the chamber – but only the green and gold, other colours will not be permitted – and I very much look forward to relaxing the rules tomorrow as well. This is just a one-off and should not be taken to be a relaxing of rules generally, so I am sorry to say that all those Carlton and Geelong supporters will need to keep their scarves in their offices. And just a reminder that all members are invited to join me tonight in Queen’s Hall after the house adjourns to watch the game. Staff and guests are also welcome to join.

Brad Battin: On a point of order, Speaker – first of all, I am not going to complain about the Geelong scarf, because I am not that confident we will get there this year – yesterday you made a ruling in relation to the member for Narracan and a comment he made, ‘Pull your finger out’, which you stated was unparliamentary and should not be used in Parliament. However, the term ‘Pull your finger out’ is a nautical term. When a cannon had a small amount of powder poured into the ignition hole near the base of the weapon, in order to keep the powder before firing, a crew member pushed one of their fingers into the hole, and when the time came for ignition the crewman was told to pull their finger out. This term has also been used by the member for Eltham, who complained yesterday that it was unparliamentary. It has been used by Greens members. It has been used in the upper house, and quite traditionally it has been used in this house. I could go through a list from Hansard of when it has been used. Can I please get a ruling on that, because I do not believe that it is unparliamentary when we talk about ‘pulling your finger out and getting back to work’.

The SPEAKER: Thank you, member for Berwick. I will get back to the house on my ruling around ‘pulling your finger out’.