Page 661 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 5 July 1989
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Wednesday, 5 July 1989
______________________
MR SPEAKER (Mr Prowse) took the chair at 10.30 am and read the prayer.
POLICE OFFENCES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989 - SELECT COMMITTEE
Suspension of Standing Orders
MR COLLAERY (10.30): Mr Speaker, I move:
That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would allow me to move a motion establishing a select committee on the Police Offences (Amendment) Bill and referring the Bill to the committee.
Mr Whalan: As a matter of clarification, does the proposer of this motion intend to justify by argument this course of action?
MR COLLAERY: I am quite happy, Mr Speaker, to speak to this briefly. This Bill, introduced by the Liberal Party, has raised legitimate concerns in the community from both the proponents of the Bill and those opposed to it. It is quite obvious, given the level of public interest in the issue, that there should be a consultation process, and the Residents Rally is firmly of the view that the appropriate measure at this stage is that a select committee be established to examine the Bill. It is my understanding, Mr Speaker, that the select committee will advertise, hopefully this Saturday, for public comment in relation to the Bill.
The terms of reference which I will move shortly will indicate that there is a relatively short time frame for that reportage so that this matter of public interest can come - - -
Mr Wood: That is ridiculous. You cannot have a short time frame. It is not possible.
MR COLLAERY: It is so that this matter of public interest can come back before this Assembly in due course, where - in reply to the concerns of my friend Mr Wood - the matter can be debated. It has not yet been debated, Mr Speaker, and debate today, which is likely to be lengthy and possibly acrimonious, may not be advantaged by the full views of the community having been sounded out on this very important issue.
MS FOLLETT (Chief Minister) (10.32): Mr Speaker, I have to speak against the suspension of standing orders on this matter. I do so because I believe it really is acting to
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