Page 958 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 27 March 1990
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There is no one here, I have no doubt, who is blameless, but members should not make assumptions. (Extension of time granted) They should not assume that the fault is on this side of the house. Government members should examine themselves and see what their aims are. If Mr Kaine claims to be Chief Minister, he should have the stature of a Chief Minister, as I know our Opposition Leader has. He should watch his own behaviour and ensure that we do not develop into this turmoil.
Mr Speaker, it is dangerous to comment on what Speakers do, just as in courts it is dangerous to comment on what judges do, but even though it is the end of the day, you should show the same patience that you might show at the beginning of the day. I think that we would all profit from that. Mr Whalan did not deserve to be sent out tonight. I think the conduct of the house in that action was quite reprehensible and unnecessary.
MR STEVENSON (10.53): Last Saturday many hundreds - or rather, many thousands - of people stood for election throughout the country. Most were unsuccessful. A few were elected by the citizens of Australia to represent them in the same way that we, in this Assembly, were elected last March. It is a very valuable and rare opportunity that people have to serve in this capacity. Many people try to gain such a role throughout their lives and do not succeed. Why do - - -
MR SPEAKER: Order, Mr Stevenson! The time for this debate has expired.
Motion (by Mr Berry) agreed to:
That so much of the standing and temporary orders be suspended as would prevent the adjournment debate continuing until 11.24 pm.
MR STEVENSON: Why do people elect the members? In some cases they elect them because they have to. But in most cases they do it because they want to. They want people who will serve them. They pay us quite well, and they want us to sort out a lot of problems for them. In many cases they do not accept the responsibility they should; they expect us to accept it on their behalf. I can understand - and all of us in this house are responsible - that at times we have done and said things which, in retrospect, we do not feel good about. I think it is obvious tonight that the atmosphere is not such that it makes us feel good. We will not leap out of here in 20 minutes or so and think, "Boy, wasn't that a nice night's work?"
A member: Do you reckon?
MR STEVENSON: Yes, I do reckon. I think we need to look at the many important issues that confront Canberrans and Australians. When we feel goaded by a remark that someone makes, it is very simple to take the easy route and reply.
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