Page 1697 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 29 May 1990
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self-government in the ACT and I say that that is why Mrs Nolan was pressured into standing down.
That was a serious move for her, yet it was an honourable move and a move that one would expect in any government throughout this country. Mr Speaker, this motion must be carried to ensure that the credibility of this Assembly is improved amongst the Canberra community.
MR KAINE (Chief Minister) (5.25): Mr Speaker, this sudden outbreak of moral rectitude on the part of the Opposition is absolutely staggering. These latter-day moralists seem somehow to have emerged like butterflies, or perhaps like codling moths, from their chrysalises all of a sudden. What we have seen over the last few days has been an attempt by the newest member of this Assembly, wearing his L-plate, to redefine the concept of ministerial responsibility. In my view, the arrogance of such an undertaking is absolutely breathtaking. Let us be in no doubt, Mr Speaker; there is no point of principle involved in this debate. It is all about politics, and politics that have been very poorly played. Mr Berry and his Labor mates in this Assembly have been seething ever since Mr Duby parted company with them and joined with us to form an Alliance Government. Of course, he had good reason to part from them because they gave him nothing.
Ms Follett: That is his price, is it?
MR KAINE: There was no price. But you people talk about morals. You thought that his company was great for seven months and now, all of a sudden, he is a social outcast because he pulled the rug out from under you lot and you got what you deserved. I must remark on this, Mr Speaker. The Opposition saw no difficulty in having Mr Duby support them in government, despite his earlier brush with the law that Mr Berry now makes so much of.
Ms Follett: He was not a Minister.
MR KAINE: This moralistic tone was not adopted when he was propping you lot up. It is only since he pulled the rug out from under you that you have suddenly got so very moral about all this. There is no question that the intensity of the attack on Mr Duby over the past five days derives from the fact that the Opposition dropped the ball on this matter back in April. The only new ingredient in that situation is that we now have Mr Connolly on the scene, and he has been blatantly encouraged and steamed up over the last few weeks to use this situation in an attempt to make a name for himself. The rest of you dropped the ball so you have got to get the new boy on the job. He is not going to make a name for himself, except as a very dubious-quality lawyer.
Mr Connolly: It is a personal attack. Dodge the issue, attack the personality. That is very statesmanlike!
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