Mr SPEAKER —Yesterday the honourable member for Groom (Mr Taylor) raised as a matter of privilege a letter he had received from a Mr Norm Segal from Nambour. I have had the opportunity to consider the honourable member's remarks and to examine a copy of the letter in question.

The law of parliamentary privilege enables the House to protect members from improper interference with the free performance of their duties as members—House of Representatives Practice pages 700 to 704. I will not trouble the House by repeating the details of some of the statements in Mr Segal's letter—the honourable member quoted from it when he raised his complaint last night—suffice to say the letter informed the honourable member:

. . . that your name is in the eighth batch of one hundred (100) alleged political, judicial, administrative, media and financial criminals to be charged, tried, and where found guilty, HUNG for treason, crimes against the constitution . . .

And so on. Unfortunately, at times members are subject to such extravagant and irrational representations. The honourable member for Groom referred to the need for members to have `thick skins'. While I am sure we all accept this, as Speaker of the House I am concerned that there are, unfortunately, occasions on which a small number of citizens go beyond what we would all regard as a reasonable position in making representations to us. My concern is not only for members but also for their staff and their families, who are very much innocent victims of such unacceptable actions and can be understandably frightened and upset.

Having considered the remarks of the honourable member, the terms of the letter and the precedents which are available, I have concluded that a prima facie case has been made out. I am willing to allow precedence to a motion on the matter.