Mr SPEAKER —It being 2.00 p.m., there are one or two observations I wish to make as the Speaker, prior to calling for questions without notice. First, I would like to say that, clearly, the House would fall into all sorts of disorder if it were not for the custom, well entrenched in standing orders, of members rising in their place, seeking the call and being recognised before they proceed to address the chamber. It is, of course, equally appropriate that that standing order should apply in the same way to the frontbench as it applies to the backbench.

There has been a not surprising tendency for frontbenchers to come to the dispatch box to seek the call. I think it is entirely appropriate that frontbenchers should rise in their place and seek the call. In fact, in answer to questions, frontbenchers should await the call before proceeding to the dispatch box. I observe, in a totally non-partisan way, that it was a habit which I noticed the former mem ber for Bass had fallen into which did give a certain sense of order, and I think it ought to apply in future in the chamber. So I would expect frontbench members to rise in their place and, after being recognised, proceed to the dispatch box.

Secondly, consistent with the rulings given by the overwhelming majority of Speakers who have been in the chamber since I came here in 1983, I do not intend to allow supplementary questions as a matter of habit.

I also indicate to the chamber that the Deputy Speaker and I have conferred this morning and deliberately chose—for reasons that I know all will endorse—not to interrupt the very good first speeches given by a number of members. We chose not to interrupt them on occasions when the enthusiasm of their colleagues meant that their colleagues burst into applause.

I was in the chair—if I may illustrate this point—when the member for Gellibrand gave an excellent speech and her colleagues managed to resist the temptation to burst into applause. There is, of course, nothing wrong with applause. The difficulty is that it then encourages the galleries to behave in what is an unruly manner by also bursting into applause.

Can I remind members that it is always appropriate to endorse the sentiments of a colleague on either side of the House by a quiet, `Hear, hear,' but that the tendency to burst into applause does make it more difficult for whoever is in the chair to exercise the sort of control that is expected of the gallery. After all, only those who are on the floor of the House should be here participating in the House.

I do not want to bring any note of discord, but I also remind members that it is my intention as the Speaker to warn people but not to warn them repetitiously.