My question is to the Minister for Information and Communication Technology. Can
the minister inform the house of any recent announcements that will create new
information and communications technology (ICT) jobs in the Geelong economy?
Honourable members interjecting.
The PRESIDENT — Order! I might add that the minister is the
first recipient of the priority button. I need to confer with the Clerk on the
validity of the question.
I ask Ms Tierneyto ask her question again.
Ms TIERNEY — Can the minister inform the house of any
recent announcements that will create new ICT jobs in the Geelong economy?
Mr D. Davis — On a point of order,
President, I note that a number of government members have posters, and I know
there are rules in this house against displays and props. I ask you, President,
to be aware of these props.
The PRESIDENT — Order! Mr Leane is being too cute by half! He
should not provoke the house.
Hon. T. C. THEOPHANOUS (Minister for Information and
Communication Technology) — I thank the member for her question. It was a
source of absolute pride for me and other members representing Geelong to be at
Deakin University yesterday to announce this fantastic new initiative, where an
Indian information and communications technology (ICT) company, in collaboration
with the Greater Geelong City Council and Deakin University, will be coming into
Geelong and creating 2000 new jobs.
I was very pleased to see that the Geelong Advertiser had on
its front page in big writing for everyone to see ‘2000 new jobs in Geelong’.
Let me quote what the Geelong Advertiser had to say:
- Geelong will get 2000 new jobs under a plan to turn Waurn Ponds into our own
Silicon Valley.
It went on to say:
- … It will help turn Geelong into an ICT hub …
It quotes Satyam Computer Services co-founder and managing
director, Mr Rama Raju, as saying:
- I have no doubt in my mind that we are going to do wonderful work out of
this city …
Mrs Peulich — On a point of order, President, Mr Leane is
flouting your ruling. He has now displayed the poster on the steps over there,
where you cannot see it. I ask you to enforce your earlier ruling.
Questions interrupted.
SUSPENSION OF MEMBER
The PRESIDENT — Order! While I cannot see the prop being
displayed, I am inclined to take the word of the member opposite. That being the
case, I can only take it that Mr Leane has deliberately flouted my previous
ruling and I remove him from the chamber for 30 minutes.
Mr Leane withdrew from chamber.