Throw Robin out of Senate, says Danny

THE ranting and ravings of Opposition Senator Robin Montano yesterday were again brought to the fore yesterday forcing his brother, Minister of Legal Affairs Danny Montano, to ask that he be thrown out. However Deputy President Rawle Titus instead opted to tamely warn all members of the Senate to behave themselves and to get on with the people’s business. Robin’s fiery temper threw the usually quiet Upper House into chaos because he disagreed with the way Education Minister Hazel Manning was answering a question on the Order Paper. Robin Montano had asked that Manning state the date given to parents and guardians of primary school children by her ministry for credit cards promised in lieu of cheque for book grants.

As the minister proceeded to answer, saying that primary schools were not eligible for the cards and it was an initiative in the secondary schools, she attempted to further explain. But Robin would have none of it and jumped to his feet on a ‘point of order’ saying he was hoping “this wouldn’t happen again.” That is, that specific answers should be given instead of a speech. He contended that for “too bloody long that has been going on in this House.” He advised members to “listen and you will learn.” He referred Senate Vice-President Rawle Titus to May’s Parliamentary Practice imploring him to ensure that Manning confined herself to answering the question. But as Titus allowed Manning to say what “we didn’t get to hear,” Montano was up again insisting that he asked nothing about what she was speaking. He insisted that a ruling be given, but even after Titus ruled for Manning to continue, Montano (R) was at it again.

Manning had begun to say that because the cards did not apply to primary schools, the other questions were irrelevant, Montano (R) continued to shout “that is not what I had asked.” He begged that she should be confined to a specific answer or “we will have a farce.” Getting red in the face, with arms flailing in the air, Montano (R) persisted, “you must not allow a ramajay ... it is wrong for her to take a chook ... and people who bray about this are donkeys.” One Government Senator stated, “that is exactly what you are doing.” The usually quiet House was thrown into chaos, as other members realising that Montano’s (R) anger was boiling over, raised their voices too to protest his behaviour. As Titus rose to his feet to tamely warn “you should temper down, and let us get to the business of the people,” Montano (R) continued standing as though he was not being interrupted to repeatedly shout, “This can’t be right,” as he slammed papers on his desk. At that point his brother Danny Montano, quickly stood up on a point of order and advised Titus to invoke Standing Orders 43:3 saying “use your judgment.”

Standing Orders 43:3 states that the President can order any member to withdraw immediately from the Senate during the remainder of the sitting, and may direct such steps be taken, as are required to enforce such action where the conduct of such member is grossly disorderly or has used objectionable, insulting or offensive words or unparliamentary expressions. Luckily, Deputy President Titus did not enforce the Orders and opted to instead warn all members to be of good behaviour. He noted that the level of the Senate was at a point where it could be put in a bad light. He firmly emphasised that members temper down and get down to the people’s business. However, before the Senate could proceed, Independent Senator Dana Seetahal also rose to inform Titus that it wasn’t right to warn all members about their behaviour, and such warnings should be directed to the specific person misbehaving.