Hon RODNEY HIDE (Leader—ACT) Link to this
I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I am sorry to interrupt but I was going to raise this point earlier. It is not possible for a member to stand up and use Standing Order 379 to seek leave to ask an urgent question. The question has to be put in writing, it has to be given to the Speaker, and it has to be given to the Minister.
Mr SPEAKERI do not need assistance on this matter. The House by leave can do many things and that is why it is in the hands of the House. The House did not approve leave. The member is quite right. The normal process for an urgent question is exactly as he outlined, but the House by leave has power to do all sorts of things; leave was not granted, though. And I apologise for interrupting the honourable Minister.