Page 748 - Week 05 - Thursday, 6 July 1989
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this house or people outside it is unacceptable. I would like Mr Collaery to have the opportunity to demonstrate that either there is some substance to his allegations or there is not, and to resolve the matter once and for all. For that reason, I support the suspension of standing orders proposed by the Government in this case.
MR SPEAKER: Do you wish to speak to the motion, Mr Collaery?
MR COLLAERY (10.38): I wish to speak to the motion, Mr Speaker. This tactical move, which belongs in some factional power game of the ALP, is a classic example of the respect that our fellows opposite and, to a qualified extent, my colleague Mr Kaine have for informed and proper debate in this chamber. The proposal that, without notice, I launch upon a matter of extreme public interest, a matter of prominence throughout this country - that is, the subject of ministerial and public service impropriety - is extraordinary. This is an attempt to pre-empt what will surely happen in due course when the operations of the Public Accounts Committee are properly developed and when there is further action on the unanimously endorsed proposal in this chamber that there be an independent commission against corruption of a sort in this Territory. It is a disgrace that members of this party sitting opposite us who speak - - -
Mr Whalan: I rise on a point of order, Mr Speaker. You have been quite assiduous in requiring members, particularly the previous speaker, to confine their remarks to the terms of the motion, which is the question of the suspension. I know that we all have considerable embarrassment for the way in which the person who is presently speaking abuses the processes of this chamber, but I would appeal to you to keep Mr Collaery in order.
MR SPEAKER: I thank the Deputy Chief Minister. I ask Mr Collaery to proceed.
MR COLLAERY: It is only a matter of weeks since the Chief Minister of this Territory indicated that she would proceed with open and consultative government. The Rally's reaction to the persistent failure of the Deputy Chief Minister in particular to respond adequately to inquiries has been to question his real interest in democratic debate in this chamber and his real interest in being frank with the people of the ACT.
Ms Follett: I rise on a point of order, Mr Speaker. I draw your attention again to the question under debate, which is the suspension of standing orders. The very intention of the suspension is to give Mr Collaery the kind of opportunity that he is taking now.
MR SPEAKER: Thank you, Chief Minister. Please get to the point, Mr Collaery.
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