Page 1257 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 23 August 1989
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body, this Assembly is yet to win widespread acceptance and credibility in the wider community, and I say that on careful reflection and on the basis to some extent of the opinion polls that were published this weekend just past. This Assembly is yet to win that confidence. In light of that fact, the motion that appears today and the debate that has ensued as a result of that motion do cause me some concern that the repute of this Assembly might be dragged down because of a debate of this kind occurring now.
I have no doubt, Mr Speaker, that the contents of this motion are true, that Mr Jensen has correctly identified conduct of the Minister which is reprehensible, and there is no doubt in my mind that censure of some kind is deserved. But I am also aware of the traditions that pertain to a Westminster-style system. Those traditions have been referred to already by my leader, Mr Kaine. Those are, generally speaking, that a censure of a Minister does require - in this case - the Chief Minister to consider whether that Minister ought to continue to serve in the Chief Minister's Government. I, for one, am concerned that that should be the inference or the suggestion that arises out of this motion.
It was certainly wrong for the Deputy Chief Minister to have engaged in this conduct, but I am in two minds as to whether that should be the cause for his resignation. I seek the agreement of the house to substitute the word "admonishes" for "censures". I do not believe that the word "admonishes" carries the same overtone, the same compulsion on the Chief Minister to take the Minister aside and consider his future, although I would hope that, as a result of the motion being carried in its amended form, the Chief Minister would take the Deputy Chief Minister aside and counsel him on his proper course of conduct, particularly with respect to the Residents Rally.
I have not found the Residents Rally as difficult to deal with as has the Deputy Chief Minister. I believe that much of what he has complained about in his statement in this debate is quite adequately reciprocated by his own conduct. I know that some things have been said in this chamber which, although I am not able to prove or disprove those statements, nonetheless give me cause to think that people are going too far.
It is very easy in this place for us to make statements we cannot and are not required to back up. It is very easy for us to make accusations. It is a quite enormous responsibility on the shoulders of all of us to come into this place knowing that we can say that Mr Bloggs in Wanniassa is a child molester, knowing that we have no obligation whatsoever to substantiate that claim and moreover that there is no redress on the part of Mr Bloggs. I hope there is no Mr Bloggs living in Wanniassa. I will be extremely concerned if there is.
Mr Kaine: The fictitious Mr Bloggs.
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