Page 1885 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 30 May 1990
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This morning a matter was debated which was referred to by Mr Collaery in his attack on Mr Wood's press release. We put before this Assembly the opportunity for members to stand up and be counted on school closures, and they did. Those members of the Rally, in particular, who stood up and were counted voted firmly against our motion to oppose school closures. You will not be forgotten for those remarks, let me assure you of that. It is not I who am making the threat; it is those members of the Canberra community.
How has the Government responded to the Opposition's attacks? Well, it responded in much the way that it has responded to other attacks in the short period I have been in this chamber, and for me it is the most surprising feature of the way this chamber conducts its business. Essentially the Government's response degenerates to personal attacks on the members of the Opposition. I am surprised and staggered at the level of personal invective that emerges from the Government front bench, and it is, of course, at a very high intellectual level!
Dr Kinloch: You hypocrite.
Mr Berry: On a point of order, Mr Speaker; Mr Connolly was just described as a hypocrite by that person.
MR SPEAKER: Order! I do not believe that is unparliamentary language.
MR CONNOLLY: Mr Speaker, I made a decision in my first few days in this Assembly not to degenerate to that level, and I do not propose to now. I was referring to the high level of intellectual contribution that is made in these personal attacks from members opposite. Mr Collaery, in the period that I have been here, has made the startling and witty remarks that Mr Berry is tall and on occasion wears shiny shoes. He seems to take a morbid fascination in my ties. Both yesterday and today he has made remarks concerning the colour, style, or other unknown quality of my necktie. Now, Mr Speaker, that is an extraordinarily trivial way to conduct government business.
Ms Maher: Well, why bring it up again?
MR CONNOLLY: Because I want it recorded in Hansard and I think it is important that the people of Canberra see it.
Mr Duby: You wanted "yap, yap, yap" recorded yesterday.
MR CONNOLLY: And indeed it was, Mr Duby, and I think it is most important that Hansard records the intelligent and constructive contribution that members of the Government have made by going "yap, yap, yap". Today, we have heard remarks addressed to "Labor scrubbers".
Members interjected.
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