Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Nehl) —Order! Before calling the honourable member for Sturt, I wish to make a short statement concerning the anticipation rule. Standing order 82 prohibits anticipation of the discus sion of matters appearing on the Notice Paper , but it gives the Speaker a discretion to have regard to the probability of the matter anticipated being brought before the House within a reasonable time.

The subject matter of this notice is also dealt with in the Higher Education Legislation Amendment Bill 1999 which is government business order of the day No. 14 on today's Notice Paper. That bill was introduced on 11 March, so when the Selection Committee met on 8 March and allocated time to the notice lodged by the honourable member for Sturt the bill had not been introduced. Obviously, when it met the committee could not have been aware of any issue concerning the anticipation rule and so the committee allocated time to the notice in accordance with its normal processes. Given that it appears that all sides support the debate taking place, I believe that the discussion should be allowed to proceed. However, I also think that the House should be given the background to the matter. I am confident that all members will recognise the very special circumstances surrounding it.