Northern Territory politicians are no longer incompetent, the Speaker has decided.
The word 'incompetent' — a mainstay of oppositional language worldwide since government was invented — has just been banned from the Northern Territory Parliament.
On NT Budget Day, Independent Araluen MLA Robyn Lambley labelled the Labor government 'incompetent'.
Labor Arafura MLA Lawrence Costa took offence and asked it be withdrawn.
"That is ridiculous. We use the word 'incompetent' all the time in this place," Ms Lambley said.
But Labor Speaker Ngaree Ah Kit upped the ante and added 'incompetent' "to the list of do-not-use-words in this parliament".
"I do find it offensive and I am making that ruling," Ms Ah Kit said.
It's not believed such a 'list' exists and Speaker Ah Kit has declined to comment further.
With all due respect
The move has left linguists and politicians shocked, while also holding the Speaker in the highest regard.
Former speaker of eight years, Independent Goyder MLA Kezia Purick said the keyword was "offence".
"If the member takes offence, the ruling usually is you withdraw," she said.
"[Banning words] is a bit of a limitation upon an individual's freedom of speech.
"You do have good freedom of expression to be able to say what you need on behalf of your constituents.
"If the member genuinely believes the government is incompetent, and lays out the reasons why, shouldn't that word be able to be used?"
What's wrong with buggerlugs?
Ms Purick said words on her Speaker's naughty list included 'mongrel', and most profanities ending in 'head'.
"Things that are a bit crass. You can do that in a pub. But in the Parliament, that's not what it's about," she said.
She said a previous speaker went as far as to outlaw 'buggerlugs'.
Language expert Professor Roly Sussex, who takes an interest in the history of Hansard, said banning 'incompetent' was unusual.
"I have never heard 'incompetence' before being outlawed as part of the language of the house," he said.
"If you went to any parliament in Australia, you'll find it's one of the favourite words of the opposition. They really love using it.
"I don't think personally that the word 'incompetent' is terribly, terribly bad.
"But if the speaker believes that it is not consistent with the spirit of the house, then the speaker is in the position of ultimate power.
It's unclear if or when when 'incompetent' may return to the chamber.
Who mentioned bestiality?
ABC Language editorial adviser Tiger Webb said context was everything. But he agreed 'incompetent' was not the worst slur.
"But in parliaments, words like 'incompetent', 'liar', 'dumbo' can become subject to standing orders against offensive language," he said.
Words and phrases Mr Webb has heard redacted and that were fit to print included: 'fool', 'adulterer', and 'you're the only one who knows anything about bestiality around here'.
Mr Webb said he would be wary of banning a word in his line of work.
