Page 1608 - Week 08 - Thursday, 28 September 1989
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SUSPENSION OF STANDING AND TEMPORARY ORDERS
DR KINLOCH (11.51): I move:
That so much of the standing and temporary orders be suspended as would allow me to move a motion to refer the matter of fluoride to the Standing Committee on Social Policy.
MR SPEAKER: Do you wish to speak to the motion?
DR KINLOCH: Yes, Mr Speaker. I would refer all members of the house to yesterday's Hansard in which I said I would do this - that is, I am now doing today what I said I would do yesterday.
Mr Wood: Why did you not do it yesterday, Hector?
DR KINLOCH: May I reply to the charge of being a WIMP - a "Worthy Initiator of a Magnificent Proposal". If you read Hansard, you will see the reason why we are doing it this way. It was already proposed yesterday that, if you are to have a neutral playing field on which to discuss this matter, you first have to undo what was incorrectly done 20 years ago. You do that and then you start from scratch. That is what I said yesterday. I repeat it today. It is a thoroughly valid and logical position. I do not for a moment accept the criticisms of the opposition.
Members interjected.
DR KINLOCH: I think they are entirely wrong. I think they substitute shouting for argument.
MR WHALAN (Deputy Chief Minister) (11.52): I find this a most extraordinary motion to suspend standing orders. I raise exactly the same criticisms that I raised yesterday when opposition members who support the fluoride Bill seek further steps today to interfere with important business before this Assembly. It is quite clear that this is a controversial matter. It is quite clear that this particular, stupid, idiotic motion is not going to go through without some considerable debate. For that reason it should be placed on notice, as all business should be.
I pose the question as to why this was resisted yesterday when it was moved on two separate occasions, Mr Speaker. You, yourself, voted against it; all those people over there, Mr Speaker, voted against it.
The situation we are faced with is that, because of the outrage demonstrated in today's Canberra Times, they have now come up with the brilliant idea that they will refer the matter to a committee. It is absolutely extraordinary. I do not know, Hector, how you have got the hide to come forward on this particular proposal today when you voted against it twice, just as you did, Mr Speaker. The
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