Page 1372 - Week 07 - Thursday, 24 August 1989
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the Residents Rally is prepared to get its snout in the trough in relation to the spending of community funds on its party. All sorts of allegations have been raised about the Government, and I think it has been repeatedly put to this Assembly what the Government's position is in relation to staffing, and everybody is clear on that issue. I think one of the most important issues about the consultant position is that where consultants are employed by the Government - - -
Mr Kaine: You are in trouble for raising it.
MR BERRY: You had your turn, Mr Kaine. They are employed for a set term, on a set task. I have heard a few members from the opposing parties here claiming some fame by being associated with trade union areas. One even claimed to have a metal worker father - - -
MR SPEAKER: Order! Mr Berry, please stick to the point. This debate closes at 4.33.
Mr Kaine: A boilermaker.
MR BERRY: He claimed to have a boilermaker as a parent and claimed some fame because of trade unionism. I think, in sticking to the point, Mr Speaker, that the basic terms and conditions of employment that ought to apply even for consultants apply in respect of the consultants that the Government hires. That has not been the case in what Mr Stevenson has attempted to do and it is not going to be the case in what is being attempted by the Residents Rally party. I heard an amendment - - -
Mr Collaery: We have not got any consultants.
MR SPEAKER: Order! Please address your remarks through the Chair.
MR BERRY: In sticking to the point, Mr Speaker, I heard an amendment from the Residents Rally which clearly supported the employment of consultants by anybody who wished to do so. The amendment was moved by Mr Jensen. I think, Mr Speaker, that the reality of this situation is clearly about securing an amalgam of the Liberal Party, the Residents Rally party and Mr Stevenson. I think what needs to be reported clearly is the extent to which they are prepared to go to stitch up that vote, rather than any reason being used about the propriety of what is going on. That is really the issue - the propriety of all of this. I cannot think of anybody who would accept what is being attempted by this motion by Mr Stevenson as being a proper approach to employment of people by politicians in this Assembly. It is clearly, in my view, aimed at tax minimisation.
Mr Humphries: It is not our job to stop tax minimisation. If someone wants to minimise tax, that is his business.
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