Hon members, on 22 November 2012, I ruled that the remarks of the Minister for the Public Service and Administration made during replies to members' statements on 13 November 2012, when she referred to the hon Maynier as "flea-infested body", were out of order. Hon members will remember that the Minister was not in the House when I delivered the ruling. I indicated then that I would ask the Minister to withdraw the remarks when present in the House. As the Minister is present today, could I ask that she withdraws her remarks.
Mr Speaker, I would like to withdraw what I thought was a very apt description, a very incisive description of the highly excitable, frenzied ... [Interjections.]
Hon Minister, could you please withdraw?
Speaker, I did withdraw that apt description. I had ... [Interjections.]
Hon Minister, give a full withdrawal; no additions or subtractions.
Hon Speaker, this is a full withdrawal of what at that point I thought was an apt description of the maniac behaviour. Finally, Mr Speaker, I withdraw.
Hon Speaker, please, on a point of order: That was not a withdrawal; that was a justification for a wrongdoing. Your order from the Chair is to withdraw. The Minister is now making a mockery of this House, and she does that often. Would you please withdraw?
Hon Minister?
I withdraw. [Applause.]
Mr Speaker, may I rise on a point of order: In the earlier two supposed withdrawals with conditions, I submit that some of the comments that the Minister made were unparliamentary. I could not hear the exact wording, but I would like you to please rule on that.
The hon Minister did withdraw.
Would you like me to repeat the comments? [Laughter.] Mr Speaker, I ask that you actually have a look at what was said and then rule on it, because if she says she did not hear, I do not know what she is commenting about.
Order, hon member! Order!
May I address you, Mr Speaker. The earlier two conditional withdrawals certainly contained comments which were unparliamentary, and I would ask that you please read the Hansard and give a ruling.
Yes, I will! I will give a ruling after looking at the Hansard.
Speaker, on a point of order: I wonder if it would be correct to say that the hon Minister has just got a flea in her ear? [Laughter.]
And that you will look at that. If that flea is about, I am certain they come from him! [Laughter.]