Calling For Order (Press, 12 March 1985)
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Summary: Calling For Order (Press, 12 March 1985)
Mr Terris, the current Chairman of Committees and Acting Speaker of Parliament, has faced significant challenges in recent weeks due to his controversial position. His appointment as Deputy Speaker in August of the previous year was met with strong opposition from the National Party, and this tension resurfaced when he assumed the role of Acting Speaker, following the hospitalisation of Speaker Sir Basil Arthur. The National Opposition has consistently expressed dissatisfaction with Mr Terris, which has led to unproductive personal disputes and distractions within Parliament. Public perception has been of a Parliament caught up in trivial arguments rather than focusing on pressing national issues. In an effort to resolve this ongoing conflict, Mr Terris and the Leader of the Opposition, Mr McLay, engaged in a "long and frank talk." This discussion resulted in the Opposition retracting its notice of motion that expressed no confidence in Mr Terris, thereby preventing a potentially divisive debate from occurring in Parliament. The Opposition's decision to withdraw the motion seems to align with the sentiment expressed by its own members, emphasizing the need for Parliament to dedicate its energies to more urgent matters rather than personal squabbles. Mr McLay’s remarks about the country grappling with various crises reflect the broader context in which these parliamentary issues occur. With the public focused on significant concerns, it became increasingly difficult for the Opposition to justify its campaign against the Acting Speaker while claiming that critical national matters were being overlooked. The resolution of this quarrel is viewed as a much-needed step towards ensuring that Parliament can effectively address the pressing issues that citizens care about. The electorate is likely to scrutinise the performance of all members in light of the ongoing challenges facing the country, as seen in the active discourse within newspapers and public forums. Ultimately, discussions surrounding the Speaker's position appear secondary to the pressing legislative tasks at hand.
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