Page 2312 - Week 08 - Thursday, 7 June 1990
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Government offered - it seems to think, generously - 15 minutes for question time on the suggestion of Mr Moore. The Opposition wants to hold the Government open to scrutiny, as is commonplace in parliaments of this type. We cannot help it if the Government does not want to be scrutinised, but it is a right of the Opposition to do so and we intend to pursue it because of our feelings in that regard.
The compromise offer that was suggested by Mr Moore is, of course, out of the question and is merely the Government trying to hide from scrutiny as it has been wont to do in the past.
Mr Moore: Will you accept seventeen and a half minutes?
MR BERRY: Providing we get all the questions! Of course the Government will now talk about some sort of tradition whereby these sorts of debates may well lead to the end of question time. Notwithstanding the tradition, this is the last day of sitting and the Government should have the good grace to allow a full period of question time so that the Opposition can fully canvass those issues of public importance which necessarily should be questioned.
Mr Humphries: What is different today?
MR BERRY: Of course Mr Humphries is very concerned about this position because he has been exposed as a real danger to public education in the ACT, and the children outside this Assembly this afternoon assisted in further exposing that. I should say that those students were slandered by the Government opposite, by the Chief Minister in particular when he said that they were being led by teachers. They were students in their totality. I just throw that one in for the record.
Mr Kaine: I am glad that has something to do with the suspension of standing orders. And you talk about integrity!
MR BERRY: Your knowledge of the education system is evident of late, but if you had a look at the schools you would realise that students are young adults these days, you dill.
MR SPEAKER: Order! Mr Berry, please proceed.
MR BERRY: Mr Speaker, this issue is important for the good government of the Territory. It is appropriate that the Opposition should be able to put questions to the Government to expose its failings and then, hopefully, prod it to better government. We know that is difficult, but we intend to pursue that line without pause, and I think the Government should have the good grace to allow us to question it closely.
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