Page 142 - Week 01 - Wednesday, 14 February 1990
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
would like to say, speaking on behalf of this side of the house, that we would very much welcome the opportunity to continue with private members' business. Let there be no mistake about that. We would be delighted to do so at any time, but I want to make a few points about that.
First of all, Mr Speaker, last night there was a meeting of the Standing Committee on Administration and Procedures, at which our representative, Mr Wood, was present. None of this was mooted at that meeting. I think that kind of action does call into question the operation of that Administration and Procedures Committee, the value of our member wasting his time attending it when there is clearly some secret agenda and, as I said yesterday, the attempt by the Government members to subvert the committee system.
The second point that I make is that there has been no consultation whatsoever on whatever cute proposition the Government is planning to put up. Mr Collaery has said that we were informed of it. We were not. I state that categorically - we were not.
Mr Collaery: You were told in debate.
MS FOLLETT: We were not.
Mr Collaery: The Hansard will show it.
MS FOLLETT: Mr Speaker, I repeat: there has been no consultation.
Mr Collaery: I didn't say "consultation". I said we offered it to you.
MS FOLLETT: I wish to place on the record that there has been no consultation. Furthermore, Mr Speaker, any consultation that might have taken place seems to have passed by the Government's Whip as well. Mrs Nolan appears to be totally unaware of what the plan is for this afternoon, as of course is our manager of government business, Mr Whalan. This is an extraordinary way to conduct business.
I would like to make a further point, Mr Speaker. It is something that I take fairly seriously, and that is that the daily program for today has been printed this morning in direct contravention of the standing orders. You will see that private members' business is listed on that paper in contravention of standing order No. 74 which lists the order of business. We have private members' business appearing there. Upon inquiring what had happened Mr Wood was told that Mrs Nolan's and Mr Jensen's business comprised the private members' business.
Mr Wood: I was told that would come.
MS FOLLETT: That is so. So we have been misled. I put it to you again that we welcome any opportunity to debate
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .