The Bear Pit - Parliament Rules

They call it the ‘Bear Pit’, that is, the Parliament in NSW Australia. Again this week the house lived up to its reputation with debate turning to physical scuffle.
Government leader in the chamber, Carl Scully, argued that "Parliament is a conflict of ideas but it is a conversation, not a brawl”. But drop into question time in Macquarie Street and you could be mistaken for thinking you'd stepped into a classroom when teacher is absent.
There are some who point to the speaker, John Aquilina, saying he has allowed the standard of what passes for debate in Macquarie Street to degenerate so much. No doubt he has done little to help, but the problem is hardly a new one.
This incident began with the usual taunting, albeit over the very serious issue of road deaths on a major highway. A bit of point scoring hit home and the feathers flew.
Andrew Fraser denied he had been drunk on Tuesday night when he lunged at the Roads Minister, Joe Tripodi, called him a "bloody liar" and assaulted him.  Fraser received an eight-day suspension for his outburst.
He hopes that now, at least the incident might get the issue of upgrades on the Pacific Highway into the media.
"All I'd say to you lot, do what you can to get this bloody highway fixed. I mean, you've got the opportunity now, I'm your scapegoat … but go out there and talk to those people who have lost kids, who have lost parents."
Well, it has been the ‘Bear Pit’ for many years now. It is difficult to image any great change in that in the future. Potential members must know what they are getting into. Still, it would be interesting to see the place operate with some sense of decorum.