Page 2030 - Week 10 - Wednesday, 25 October 1989
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want to happen, because we are told that members cannot move such an amendment to the Bill. That is my concern. If it had anything whatsoever to do with fairness, democracy, parliamentary behaviour or anything else, I would totally agree, but that was my concern and that was the reason for the motion.
MR WHALAN (Minister for Industry, Employment and Education) (10.55): Mr Speaker, the one thing I will say about Dennis is that he is pretty persistent. In the whole period that we have been here as an Assembly he has stood up here on two issues only. One of those was on fluoride, and he pressed that quite enthusiastically. The other issue that he has spoken on, ad infinitum and ad nauseam, is his right to structure the payment to his staff in such a way as to minimise the tax that is paid by them.
Mr Collaery: I rise on a point of order. Mr Speaker, there is an imputation there. I do not think it is correct in this chamber to be making allegations of that nature when no evidence has been put forward by the Minister making that allegation. I ask him to withdraw the allegation of tax avoidance against Mr Stevenson.
MR SPEAKER: Minister, I would agree. Would you withdraw that statement?
MR WHALAN: I will withdraw that, but in withdrawing it, Mr Speaker, I would say that the person who raised the point of order is a person who has used parliamentary privilege here to blacken the character of people in this chamber and outside this chamber consistently.
Mr Stevenson: I rise on a point of order. I suggest that that is not a withdrawal. It is an attack on Mr Collaery.
MR SPEAKER: Mr Stevenson, your objection is overruled. The Minister will proceed with the debate, please.
MR WHALAN: It is interesting to see the defender of the faith come to your defence, Bernard. This matter has been debated before in this Assembly, on 24 August, in what we all know as the 30 pieces of silver motion. That was supported by the Residents Rally. You might recall, Mr Speaker, the Residents Rally with their 30 pieces of silver that they awarded to Mr Stevenson for giving support for this, in return for Mr Stevenson's becoming a de facto member of the Residents Rally party. He was the fifth member, and is now the fourth member of the Residents Rally party.
Mr Kaine: He is getting better.
MR WHALAN: Well, he is getting higher up on the list. With a bit of luck, given the internal problems that they have got - I take up the interjection - he is probably in line for the leadership of the Residents Rally party. Indeed, he joins a very happy group of people, Dennis Stevenson, Katharine West and - - -
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