Page 1125 - Week 04 - Thursday, 29 March 1990
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Chief Minister. There is no question in my mind that in stringent times we in the Assembly should be the people who are giving a - - -
Mr Berry: On a point of order, Mr Speaker; the member has strayed off the path. This is about relevance and it is whether or not he will be given leave to deal with this Assembly business, not whether or not the trip is appropriate.
Mr Moore: It is already approved.
Mr Berry: It is already approved.
MR SPEAKER: Relevance is an issue here, I must admit.
MR DUBY: I certainly agree. As I said, in stringent times when the community as a whole is being asked to undergo quite hard times and when matters of public importance and matters relating to the well-being of the ACT community are being stringently looked at and quite reluctantly, I might add, Mr Speaker, by the Executive members of this Government - - -
MR SPEAKER: Order, Mr Duby. I really believe you are debating the cost of the trip rather than that leave be granted. I believe that under the motion moved by Mr Moore that is improper. If you wish, a motion to that effect could be moved when this motion has been dealt with.
MR DUBY: Mr Speaker, with respect, I will accept that ruling. I was simply once again raising the fact that the leave has been asked for to attend, on my understanding, a conference of some kind. I am raising the relevance of attendance at the conference at all.
Mr Moore: Not at all, Mr Speaker. That is not the motion.
MR SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr Moore. I have ruled on it.
MR DUBY: As I was going to say, it is my view that any information which will be gained by the member opposite could easily be obtained from minutes and copies of the conference itself. Nevertheless, I think I have outlined the basic reason why I am opposing this motion, Mr Speaker. Apart from anything else I, personally, just want the record to show that I, as a member of the Executive of this Alliance Government, am completely opposed to the granting of leave whilst attending an overseas trip. That really is the crux of the matter.
MR STEVENSON (4.30): The Chief Minister said that he had a reservation about the trip. I think it is Mr Moore who has the reservation. As far as seeking leave, standing order 23 does state - and it was not read out in full by Mr Duby:
A Member shall be excused from service in the Assembly, or any committee, as long as the Member has leave of absence.
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