Dr the Hon LOCKWOOD SMITH (National—Rodney) Link to this
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I think an issue has arisen that does require your further consideration. It relates to the matter of leave provided to Taito Phillip Field. Because what has been discussed this afternoon is that a member can be given leave from this Parliament for public business, illness, or a family matter. The Labour whip previously suspended, under the Prime Minister’s orders, Taito Phillip Field from his parliamentary duties and from all electorate duties. Taito Phillip Field was absent from this House, under the authority of the Labour whip, for a period of some months. He was suspended from all parliamentary duties and all public business in his electorate.
What I think you need to indicate to the House is the validity of that period of absence—a prolonged period of absence from this Parliament—for a member of this Parliament when clearly that absence, because the Labour whip suspended him from his parliamentary and electorate duties, could not possibly have been on public business. We know the member was not sick for that full period of time, and I do not imagine it would be possible to construct a family reason why the member was absent for that time. This Parliament does ultimately have the say over how long a member can be absent from this Parliament. You are responsible for making sure the Standing Orders are upheld in that regard. It would seem to me there has been some breach there.
Madam SPEAKER