Page 2190 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 6 June 1990
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
be exposed every time. As much as that may disturb members opposite, the fact is that the Opposition will pursue this matter every time the option presents itself.
The issue of ministerial statements has been used by this Government as a filibuster to fill up the business paper. They are used by other governments as well for the same reasons. But the fact of the matter is that the issue of common courtesy comes into play. All that is required is that the Government just give us a couple of hours' notice so that we can respond, if we so desire, immediately after any motions are moved in relation to ministerial statements.
Mr Kaine: The Leader of the Opposition will not be given the courtesy next time.
MR BERRY: Mr Speaker, that is fine; we will argue it the same way.
Mr Kaine: He talks about common courtesy. We will not even give her an extension of time.
MR SPEAKER: Order! Please proceed, Mr Berry.
MR BERRY: Where is Dr Kinloch? Dr Kinloch, the great anti-interjectionist has gone, not a sign of him all of a sudden. He should be here pulling some of the parliamentary vandals opposite into gear. Anyway that is the issue. I think it is pretty clear. If the Government is prepared to give us the usual notice on these matters the Opposition is prepared to grant leave, otherwise this debate will happen again and again.
MR MOORE (3.33): Mr Speaker, yesterday when a similar motion was put to the house I voted with the Government. This is a normal courtesy to extend to the Chief Minister to enable him to make statements and, in fact, I will vote that way again today. But the reality of the situation is still that it is appropriate in a new house like ours for the Government to give notice of what it intends to do. The Opposition is requesting two hours, and I think that that could have been organised between yesterday and today. I hope that from now on the Chief Minister will note that the right thing to do is to give us some notice in case we intend to respond.
With reference to hypocrisy and common courtesy, I find it very interesting that the Chief Minister, who just a very short while ago denied me the opportunity to present a prepared speech on the Priorities Review Board, should now complain.
Mr Kaine: The matter was not on the agenda for debate, Mr Moore. It was an extension of courtesy to the Leader of the Opposition - courtesy, you understand.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .