Page 2313 - Week 08 - Thursday, 7 June 1990
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I believe that the Government will resist our attempts in this respect. That will not be surprising, given its performance on these issues in the past. I plead with the Government to have a different approach in relation to question time and allow us the 30-minute period for questions.
MR COLLAERY (Deputy Chief Minister) (4.04): For the record, during negotiations that went on earlier, House of Representatives Practice was drawn to Mr Berry's attention. On page 509 it says:
When substantial time is spent on such a matter as a want of confidence motion prior to questions without notice being called on, it is usual for Question Time not to be proceeded with.
Need I say more, Mr Speaker? That is the rule book that guides us, and the prescriptions are in our standing orders to follow those guidances. Mr Berry has sought to anticipate - - -
Mr Berry: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I draw your attention to standing order 275, which relates to the relevance of parliamentary practice in other places, and I suggest that the document to which Mr Collaery refers is irrelevant. The relevant temporary order is 27.
MR SPEAKER: Objection overruled, Mr Berry. Please proceed, Mr Collaery.
MR COLLAERY: I think it is evident to all who visit this house now that the Leader of the Opposition is unable to control Mr Berry. Mr Berry has delayed and obfuscated issues in this Assembly. He used to do it naturally, and we had no complaint about his attributes in that regard in view of his learning curve, but now he believes he is back on the fire room floor and he mistakes the purpose of the Assembly. Mr Speaker, it ill behoves Mr Berry to behave this way. The Chief Minister has sat patiently through three hours of criticism. We extended time for Mr Stevenson and we have allowed a full debate on a vote that was doomed from the start.
That was generous indeed for any government. It was not a grave crisis of government. There was never any chance that the confidence of this Government would be shaken by the debate today. We have important legislation to pass this afternoon. As my colleague Mr Connolly knows, there will be a gap in the criminal law of this Territory if we do not pass the Director of Public Prosecutions Bill today.
Mr Berry: Mr Speaker, I raise a point of order. That is not entirely relevant. There are 24 hours in the day. If this Government wants to go home early, it should come out in the open and say so.
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