‘Lying’ Allowed ‘Liar’ Is Barred

Northern Advocate, 13 October 1949, Page 5

‘Lying’ Allowed ‘Liar’ Is Barred

IN CANBERRA .. .

CANBERRA, Thu. (noon).—The question whether the use of the words “liar” or “lying” constituted permissible parliamentary language was raised in the House of Representatives after incidents leading to the suspension of a Country Party member (Mr B.H. Corser). Previously the Minister of Defence (Mr J. J. Dedman) said that the deputy Leader of the Opposition (Mr E. J. Harrison) had no excuse for lying.”

Mr Harrison asked for withdrawal, but Mr T. Burke, acting Chairman of Committees, ruled that Mr Dedman’s statement was not unparliamentary and need not be withdrawn. When Mr H. P. Lazzarini was temporary chairman Mr Corser delivered an attack on Mr Ward’s efforts to bring about unification of state railways. When the Minister of Immigration (Mr Cal well) interjected, Mr Corser said: “You are just a liar.” Mr Lazzarini asked him to withdraw the statement and Mr Corser refused. Mr Lazzarini then named Mr Corser and Mr Dedman moved that he be suspended. The motion was carried 31 —20. When this was reported to the House with the acting Speaker (Mr J. J. Clark) in the chair, the deputy Leader of the Country Party (Mr J. J. McEwen) attempted to raise the question of privilege, but Mr Clark ruled that there could be no debate on motion for suspension. Outside the House Mr McEwen said: “Mr Corser was suspended for using an expression which had been permitted in the case of a Government member. “With such conflicting rulings Opposition members are without the privilege of free speech.’’