Page 2218 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 3 August 2022
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
I look forward to voting down Ms Lee’s motion on 15 August. We have every confidence in this Chief Minister. This is clear today, and it will be very clear every day until we deal with this stunt from the opposition leader. The Chief Minister will pass his eleventh appropriation bill and continue to build a better and stronger Canberra into the future.
MS LEE (Kurrajong—Leader of the Opposition) (10.04): Given that that this motion has just been circulated, the opposition is considering it right now. Of course, we agree that this notice of motion of no confidence in the Chief Minister, which is the most serious action that an opposition can take in a Chief Minister, deserves the respect of having that seven-day period, which will, of course, adhere to section 19 of the self-government act.
We note that the date that has been proposed in Minister Gentleman’s motion calls for a sitting day to be added on 15 August at 9.30 am. As all members of this chamber are aware, that will be in the middle of the estimates hearings process. That is the only thing that we have some concern about. The estimates hearings will be going on at 9.30 am, and that timetable has been set. I note that that is actually the time when the Chief Minister, in his capacity as Treasurer, is scheduled to appear before the estimates committee.
The only concern I have with this is that we will be reducing the time for scrutiny of the budget at a time when it is extremely important to have the full gamut of the schedule. That is the concern that I have here. Ms Lawder may have an amendment that we may circulate for debate. But that is the concern that I flag at this point.
MR BARR (Kurrajong—Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Climate Action, Minister for Economic Development and Minister for Tourism) (10.05): For the benefit of members, I will be overseas next week, so I think it is appropriate that I am in the country and in the chamber for such a serious debate. That is why Monday the 15th has been set.
I give an undertaking to the Assembly that, for the time that this debate takes, we will adjust the appearance time for me at estimates accordingly. It is my view that this matter can be addressed very quickly at 9.30 am on Monday the 15th. In that instance, for however long that debate takes, the time during which I am appearing before the estimates committee will be added to later that day.
MS LAWDER (Brindabella) (10.06): I move:
Omit “9.30 am”, substitute “8.30 am”.
The amendment that members will shortly receive is quite brief. Accepting that Mr Barr will be overseas next week, and having regard to Mr Gentleman’s motion, which adds a sitting day on 15 August, we propose to change the start time to 8.30 am rather than 9.30 am. I am not sure that it will be dealt with as quickly as the Chief Minister may hope. Starting at 8.30 am gives us more time to debate the issue with the due consideration and respect that it deserves before the estimates schedule begins on that day.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video