1556GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 6 June 2023

1556 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 6 June 2023 8.12 No interruption A member is not to interrupt another member who is speaking unless— (a) to raise a point of order; (b) to call attention to the absence of a quorum; (c) to make a personal explanation under clause 8.13; or (d) to move a procedural motion that the member be no longer heard (see clause 11.1(i)). 8.13 Personal explanations (1) A member who wishes to make a personal explanation relating to a matter referred to by another member who is then speaking is to indicate to the presiding member his or her intention to make a personal explanation. (2) The presiding member is to determine whether the personal explanation is to be heard immediately or at the conclusion of the speech by the other member. (3) A member making a personal explanation is to confine his or her observations to a succinct statement relating to a specific part of the speech at which he or she may have been misunderstood. 8.14 No reopening of discussion A member is not to reopen discussion on any Council or committee decision, except to move that the decision be revoked or changed. 8.15 Adverse reflection (1) A member is not to reflect adversely on a decision of the Council or committee except— (a) on a motion that the decision be revoked or changed; or (b) where the meeting resolves, without debate, that the question then before the meeting cannot otherwise be adequately considered. (2) A member is not— (a) to reflect adversely on the character or actions of another member or employee; or (b) to impute any motive to a member or employee, unless the meeting resolves, without debate, that the question then before the meeting cannot otherwise be adequately considered. (3) A member is not to use offensive expressions in reference to any member, employee or other person. (4) If a member specifically requests, immediately after their use, that any particular words used by a member be recorded in the minutes— (a) the presiding member is to cause the words used to be taken down and read to the meeting for verification; and (b) the Council or committee may, by resolution, decide to record those words in the minutes. 8.16 Withdrawal of offensive language (1) A member who, in the opinion of the presiding member, uses an expression which— (a) in the absence of a resolution under clause 8.15(2)— (i) reflects adversely on the character or actions of another member or employee; or (ii) imputes any motive to a member or employee; or (b) is offensive or insulting, must, when directed by the presiding member, withdraw the expression and make a satisfactory apology. (2) If a member fails to comply with a direction of the presiding member under subclause (1), the presiding member may direct the member to refrain from taking any further part in the debate of that item, other than by voting, and the member must comply with that direction. PART 9—PRESERVING ORDER 9.1 Presiding member to preserve order (1) The presiding member is to preserve order, and, whenever he or she considers necessary, may call any member to order. (2) When the presiding member speaks during a debate, any member then speaking, or indicating that he or she wishes to speak, is to preserve strict silence so that the presiding member may be heard without interruption. (3) Subclause (2) is not to be used by the presiding member to exercise the right provided in clause 8.7, but to preserve order. 9.2 Point of order (1) A member may object, by way of a point of order, only to a breach of— (a) any of this local law; or (b) any other written law. (2) Despite anything in this local law to the contrary, a point of order— (a) takes precedence over any discussion; and (b) until determined, suspends the consideration or discussion of any other matter.