Mr HOCKEY (3:32 PM) —Would you please confirm that, when a motion to suspend standing orders is moved in this place, the motion does not have to be submitted in writing until it is put to a vote by the Speaker? Therefore, in a situation where there is a suspension of standing orders, there is 25 minutes to lodge a written motion.

The SPEAKER —Whilst it is not my intention to have a practice of taking questions on procedures, the correct procedure in this matter—as I understand it—is that the time that the member has put a proposal to the chamber and read it fully is the time that it would be presented in written form. That is all I am saying.

Mr HOCKEY (3:34 PM) —Mr Speaker, can I ask one more question?

The SPEAKER —Not really, but go ahead.

Mr HOCKEY —It is relevant, particularly to interested parties who might be watching this. When the Prime Minister takes a point of order, it is eating into the time of the Leader of the Opposition and therefore the Leader of the Opposition has the right to put the motion again.

The SPEAKER —I am not going to pursue a debate of recent events through questions. The fact is that, when any member is given the call in a situation like that of recent events, the clock starts from the time that they get the call. That is all I am saying.