Page 1248 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 23 August 1989
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has misled the Assembly by accusing Mr Jensen of making an outrageous and mendacious allegation.
Mr Speaker, I put it to you that the substance of part (2) of that motion is really that Mr Whalan has used particular words. It was open to Mr Jensen, I would submit, at the time that those words were used, to seek their withdrawal. He did not. I do not know why he did not. Mr Speaker, I believe that part (2) of the motion that we have before us is really no more than an objection by Mr Jensen to the use of those words. I do not know why he did not seek to have that matter rectified at the time. I think that might have been the correct course of action.
Also, Mr Jensen's motion goes on in part (3) to make a sweeping allegation that Mr Whalan is unable to discharge his ministerial obligations. Mr Speaker, I put it to you that to bring forward such a sweeping statement as that, without supporting information or even without a supporting allegation other than that Mr Whalan used the words "outrageous" and "mendacious", is something of an overreaction to the use of two words. I do not understand it.
Mr Whalan has my confidence as my Deputy Chief Minister. He has my confidence in the performance of his ministerial duties. I believe that he is one of the most able and probably the most experienced person in this Assembly. I think, to make a sweeping assertion such as Mr Jensen has done, on the basis of the use of two words, is frankly somewhat childish, Mr Speaker. I regret that this motion has been brought forward. I think the matter could have been settled in a civilised manner between us. I believe that there has been an error made, which I fully acknowledge and for which I apologise. I can assure you that the procedures put in place will ensure that there is not such a breakdown in communication again.
As I have said, Mr Speaker, I think that such a motion is a gross overreaction to an administrative blunder of a minor nature, and I would urge all members of the Assembly to vote against this motion.
DR KINLOCH (3.38): Mr Speaker, I wish to support my friend and colleague Mr Jensen. I know him to be clear and forthright and honest in his actions and words and I know that he is not mendacious, the word chosen by Mr Whalan to describe Mr Jensen. I have objected before, including in yesterday's debate, to some of the verbal games played in this Assembly - verbal games which go beyond what is polite and reasonable. Let me quote this again:
Those of us who from time to time have played our own games during these 100 days now recognise that some members enjoy confrontational slanging matches, a kind of verbal croquet which the rest of us do not always take seriously although we sometimes object to it.
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