Hon members, this is a ruling on a point of order raised by hon Sinclair, and I hope all of you remember it. This was during the sitting of 7 July 2009. I've since consulted the Hansard records in order to make an informed ruling on the matter.
The hon Sinclair objected to a statement made by the hon Mabe during her speech. The hon Sinclair's grounds for objection was that, in terms of the Rules, a member is not allowed to refer to a previous debate or a debate in another House.
In terms of our Rules of debate, specifically Rule 47, no member, while addressing the Council, may reflect upon any decision of the Council in the same annual session, except for the purpose of moving that such decision be amended or rescinded.
The emphasis in the Rule is on any decision of the Council, rather than on any statement that may have been made. I, therefore, rule that the statement made by the hon member was in order. Thank you. [Applause.]