Mr TANNER (3:11 PM) —I have a couple of questions to you, Mr Speaker. The first concerns your policy with respect to interventions regarding the use of unparliamentary language. You may recall that on the Thursday evening of the last sitting day I spoke on the adjournment and you ask me to withdraw the description of the Prime Minister as a ‘hypocrite’. No intervention was made by any member at that time, but you asked me to withdraw. As a result of me refusing to withdraw, you then threw me out of the House. Fortunately no division occurred. Given that the term ‘hypocrite’ is hardly high on the list of unparliamentary language, I am wondering why you did not choose to intervene today when terms were used that I think were significantly more serious with respect to the Leader of the Opposition such as a ‘crooked’. I wonder whether you could enlighten the House on your policy with respect to when you will unilaterally intervene to seek a withdrawal rather than waiting for a member to request a withdrawal.

My second question relates to your policy regarding giving members the call. Early in question time the member for Denison sought to take a point of order and by the time you recognised him the minister had finished his answer. Later in question time the member for Chifley had the same problem. May I very politely suggest that you may get your lateral vision checked because it seems that you have some difficulty acknowledging people up here.

The SPEAKER —The member for Melbourne has made his point. In response to the first question, I make the point that the chair does not need another member to draw attention to unparliamentary or offensive language. The chair has a responsibility to uphold the standards of the chamber. In relation to the second point, yes, unfortunately I did not see the member for Denison but as soon as I did I attempted to give him the call.