Page 184 - Week 01 - Thursday, 15 February 1990
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MR BERRY (11.18): I think the first and most important issue that needs to be discussed in relation to this ministerial statement is the fact that the Government has again run out of business, and it was not until just a few moments ago that we were informed that this matter would be brought on.
Mr Kaine: It is on the notice paper.
MR BERRY: Have a look at this paper here. Have a look at this.
Mr Jensen: You did it to us a couple of times, Wayne.
MR BERRY: We did not do it at all. These sorts of things were never sprung on those opposite. These people are demonstrating their own incompetence. The 111 Bills on the legislation priority list that was put out by the Government is a clear demonstration that they are still floundering around window-dressing, and this is just another example of that.
Mr Kaine: He was talking a minute ago about addressing the subject. Why don't you address the subject?
MR BERRY: Mr leader, you can jump to your feet and raise a point of order. Otherwise, I suggest you be quiet and let me speak. Mr Speaker, the issue, of course, is an important one for the operation of this house, and it is a very important one for the people of Canberra to observe, in terms of the performance of the Government members opposite. It is a dismal performance, because after more than two months of rest they are not able to provide sufficient government business to fill the agenda without springing issues on the Opposition. Of course, they would not have the courage to scrub a day or so of sitting because they do not have the business. They have to play silly fellows - - -
Mr Whalan: Silly what?
MR BERRY: Silly fellows.
MR SPEAKER: Order! Mr Berry, please get to the point.
MR BERRY: I am on the point , Mr Speaker, which is about the performance of this Government. The establishment of the Priorities Review Board is just another issue that will focus attention on the Government members opposite.
Mr Kaine has announced the Priority Review Board with great fanfare and has identified it as the saviour of the Government in relation to its financial management of the Territory. It is just another way of putting off the decisions, giving them to somebody else. But the case is that the Government has an agenda - Mr Kaine has already flagged it - for 3,000 public servants to go. Blame it on the public servants again. Blame it on the public
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