Alby Schultz (Hume, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I seek clarification from you in the matter of words I used in this chamber today, to which you—

Government Members:

Government members interjecting—

Peter Slipper (Fisher, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! Honourable members on my right—every single one of you—will remain silent.

Alby Schultz (Hume, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

made the comment that you did not hear. The words that I seek clarification on in relation to unparliamentary words are the gender centred words of 'woman', 'man' and 'horrible'. I seek your clarification on whether those words are unparliamentary.

Peter Slipper (Fisher, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The honourable member asks a question of me, but that matter was resolved when the honourable member withdrew the words complained of. So that is the end of that particular matter. Had he in fact argued at the time or had he put to me that the words he uttered were not unparliamentary, then obviously I, as the occupant of the chair, would have taken that into account. I did not hear the words and I asked if indeed he said the words complained of would he be prepared to assist the processes of the House by withdrawing. The honourable member gallantly withdrew those words, and that was the end of the matter.

Alby Schultz (Hume, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I totally concur with what you have just said. The point I am making is secondary to that apology I made to keep order in the House. What I am seeking from you is a clarification of whether gender words 'woman' and 'man' are unparliamentary and whether the word 'horrible' is unparliamentary. I am seeking a separate ruling from you on that.

Peter Slipper (Fisher, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My ruling on that is the words 'man', 'woman' and 'horrible' are not unparliamentary.