Page 717 - Week 03 - Thursday, 22 March 1990
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there is no doubt that the removal technique adopted by the previous Government represents the safest and cleanest and most effective means of extracting this most hazardous of materials. There is also no doubt that had there been a cheaper technique available the previous Government would surely have grasped it.
This Government has acted decisively on this serious matter and has implemented a strategy which will see the program behind us within four years. Then, as the Minister said on 20 February, those people affected by this sad episode can get on with their lives.
MR BERRY (11.54): I was not going to speak on this matter, but there have been a few matters raised in the course of debate which need to be referred to. In particular - and I have again to fly in the face of your ruling, Mr Speaker, because I was referring to a matter in this newspaper which was of relevance to this debate - I feel obliged to rise to my feet and draw this issue to the members' attention, with your approval, of course. It really brings up the issue of whether or not one can read anything in this place that is relevant to the debate. If it does not happen to be in a newspaper, it appears that one is allowed to read it - - -
Mr Kaine: On a point of order, Mr Speaker; I believe that the member opposite is merely arguing against your decision. He does not have the right to do that.
MR SPEAKER: Thank you for your observation, Mr Kaine. Please - - -
MR BERRY: Well, it will be clarified as I - - -
Mr Kaine: Do your research off the floor of the house if it is that difficult.
MR SPEAKER: Order.
MR BERRY: Well, it just gets down to whether one can read anything in this house at all, because - - -
Mr Kaine: On a point of order, Mr Speaker; he is again questioning your ruling.
MR SPEAKER: Thank you for your observation, Mr Kaine. Mr Berry, please get on with your discussion.
MR BERRY: It comes down, as I said earlier, to whether you can read anything other than matters that are not in a newspaper.
Mr Kaine: When are you going to pull him up, Mr Speaker? He is questioning your ruling.
Mr Jensen: On a point of order, Mr Speaker; standing orders 58 or 62 - "Irrelevance or tedious repetition".
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