Page 1037 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 28 March 1990
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I issue a challenge to Mr Berry. If he thinks our plan is so wrong and so bad, then he should commit himself and his party to undoing it. He should promise to undo it in the next election campaign for this Assembly. If the decision is so bad, let him put his money where his mouth is and promise not to proceed with it when he, should we be so unfortunate, is returned to government. Let him promise that if he really believes what he is saying.
MR DEPUTY SPEAKER: Mr Humphries, just before you take your seat, I should point out that about five minutes from the end of your speech you probably unwittingly used the term "those bastards". I think, perhaps, you should withdraw the term "bastards" for the record.
MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Deputy Speaker, the term was used in respect of Commonwealth people; people who are not in this chamber. The word is not unparliamentary in that it does not apply to people here.
MR DEPUTY SPEAKER: It has been drawn to my attention.
Mr Berry: Mr Deputy Speaker, I would have to raise a point of order on that matter because Mr Humphries just referred to the winners of the last Federal election in that way.
MR DEPUTY SPEAKER: You do not mind the term, then, Mr Berry?
Mr Berry: No, I do not want to see it in the record - it should be withdrawn.
MR DEPUTY SPEAKER: Fair enough, then. I withdraw my comment in relation to the matter.
Mr Berry: No, it should be withdrawn. You cannot have winners being called those sorts of names!
MS FOLLETT (Leader of the Opposition) (4.02): I think, Mr Deputy Speaker, that we can start with some common ground in this debate on the hospital system for Canberra. That common ground is that upon self-government we inherited a system that was badly run down; a system which needed a massive injection of funds; and a system which had been consistently neglected by a series of Federal governments which were, at the time, in the charge of the Territory. Those governments, of course, were of both major political persuasions. I think it is worth placing on the record the fact that the straw which broke the camel's back for the ACT health system was the provision of a third hospital at public expense - the provision of Calvary Hospital. That decision was made by Mr Ellicott some years ago.
Mr Jensen: Oh, good God, are we are going back into history now? Do you want us to dredge out some other things?
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