Page 2941 - Week 13 - Thursday, 23 November 1989
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It is quite fundamental, for example, to the economic development of the ACT at a time when - - -
Mr Jensen: On a point of order, Mr Speaker; might I draw your attention to standing order 69(h).
Mr Wood: That is the three hundred and sixty-eighth point of order from Mr Jensen.
Mr Jensen: Thank you, Mr Wood. It says, "Suspension of standing orders". I understood, Mr Speaker, that Mr Collaery had moved a motion for a suspension of standing orders. As I read that particular standing order, it says the time for the whole debate is 15 minutes. I am sure, Mr Speaker, that we have gone well past that.
MR SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr Jensen. I will take advice on your point. You are out of order there, Mr Jensen. We have voted on the suspension of standing orders moved by Mr Collaery. We are now debating the motion, and we have now had a second suspension proposal by the Deputy Chief Minister.
MR WHALAN: This suspension motion that I have moved does have importance because it relates to the whole fabric of democracy being practised in the ACT. What we saw this afternoon was an attempt by Mr Collaery to gag the discussions of this Assembly. It was a blatant, cold-faced gag denying the democratic rights of those of us who have been elected by the citizens of the ACT to debate matters of importance to the people of the ACT within this chamber.
In view of the close connections between people within the Residents Rally party of Canberra and the Queensland branch of the National Party, we will probably find that the sitting pattern of this Assembly in the future will be truncated. Mr Speaker, there is an undeniable connection between Dr Kinloch and Katharine West who headed the "Joh for Canberra" campaign. It is an undeniable and - - -
MR SPEAKER: Order, Deputy Chief Minister! That is really not to the point.
MR WHALAN: I am talking about the need to preserve the democratic rights of the people of the ACT by this Assembly continuing to sit. I do not know what they are afraid of by moving the adjournment, by gagging this Assembly. What are they afraid of? That is the question that I ask, Mr Speaker. If they are confident that they have the numbers, well and good. It has always been accepted that under the legislation there has always been the right of any member of the Assembly at any time to move the particular motion which Mr Collaery has moved. Well and good; if he has the numbers he has it. But what he should not do, and what is inexcusable, is the denial of the right of this Assembly to sit and discuss matters of importance to the citizens of the ACT. I suggest that we sit today for an unlimited
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