Page 1554 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 27 September 1989
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seeking to have this very important, fundamental issue debated. It is very inconsistent of Michael Moore, Mr Deputy Speaker. I would like to remind you of a discussion in this chamber on 25 May, when Michael Moore moved a motion in relation to the proposed casino development on section 19. He said, "The motion before you is about public participation in decision making. It is about open, consultative government". He went on further during the debate to say, "This motion is about resolving conflict". You can notice the conflict that we have had today and differences of opinion. He said, "It is about the consultation process".
Now what has happened? What has happened on the road to Damascus that Michael Moore has had this dramatic conversion, that he no longer believes in the consultation process, that he no longer believes that it is relevant? We also had in that same debate a speech from Dr Kinloch. I find a fundamental inconsistency in what Dr Kinloch said in today's debate when he said that these issues are too complex to be referred to people out in the community; that they are too dumb to understand them; that they are not worthy of consultation on these issues. He wants us to bulldoze this draconian legislation through. You read the Hansard, Dr Kinloch, and see what you said about the people of Canberra and about their capacity to understand the issues when their children's teeth start to fall out as a result of this insane proposal.
Dr Kinloch in this debate on this day said, "I urge the Assembly that we have been without a gambling casino for the entire history of this Territory" - - -
Mr Kaine: I raise a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. I understood we were debating a motion to refer this matter to a committee, not to re-debate it. May we please get on with the debate on referring the matter to a committee?
MR DEPUTY SPEAKER: Yes. The point is taken.
MR WHALAN: To conclude on that point, it is relevant because I am trying to persuade Dr Kinloch to change his position. I can see him wavering. On this occasion Dr Kinloch said, "And to feel that it suddenly has to be rushed into being is not proper". You had your hand on your heart, Hector, and you said, "This should not be rushed. It is not proper. It is certainly not proper for an Assembly that wants to have open government, consultative government". Hector, those words now come back to haunt you. They come back to haunt you at the moment when you are denying people in the ACT their democratic rights by bulldozing this bit of legislation through. Those words are there on the record to remind you of your inconsistency when dealing with these matters.
Mr Moore: You voted against it. What about your inconsistency? Remember you voted against that. Now you have changed. Have you been on the road to Damascus?
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