Wednesday, 20 March 2024

Rulings from the Chair

Constituency questions and adjournment matters

The SPEAKER (14:38): I have reviewed yesterday’s constituency questions. The member for Melton asked the minister to provide an update to his constituents on a matter. I have previously informed the house that I would rule out constituency questions that ask ministers to provide advice or to provide an update on matters, as these are technically actions. Therefore I rule the member for Melton’s constituency question out of order.

Yesterday I also had a referral from the Deputy Speaker around the adjournment debate matter raised by the member for Euroa for me to consider. The member asked the minister to not cut services and staff. Therefore, the member effectively asked the minister to continue to do something. The Deputy Speaker rightly referred to Speaker Maddigan’s ruling that asking a minister to continue to do something does not constitute asking them to take action and asked the member to rephrase the action she requested. The member for Euroa rephrased her request and asked the minister to provide appropriate funding, and I have ruled the rephrased request for action by the member for Euroa in order.