Page 2439 - Week 09 - Tuesday, 7 August 1990
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The other argument put forward by the Opposition seems to be that it is absolutely improper of him to race off to Rarotonga or wherever he has gone unless he had the authority of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Associations ACT branch. That is a superficially attractive argument, but we have to ask ourselves what proof has been required on previous occasions when members have sought leave. What proof that they have obtained authority from a particular committee or branch or whatever, on whose behalf they were off to do the work, has been required? Where is the evidence that authority had been obtained in those cases? When Mr Moore, for example, went off on his little jaunt to the United Kingdom and to Holland I do not recall there being any documentary or other evidence that the committee of which he was supposed to be chairman had authorised that trip - - -
Mr Moore: There was.
MR HUMPHRIES: No, I think members of the Opposition are jumping to conclusions. I am sure there was the approval of that committee, but where was the evidence of the approval of that committee? There was none. No evidence was required. Supposing I should require, for the sake of my health, to make a trip to Rarotonga during the sitting week? If I had my good friend the Attorney-General come to the Assembly and seek leave, it would be a matter for the Assembly to decide whether I should have leave or not. The purpose for which I had travelled to Rarotonga is entirely irrelevant. Mr Collaery has kindly supplied to the Assembly the reason that Mr Prowse, the Speaker, has gone to Rarotonga, and I would have thought that ought to be good enough for our purposes. The point of the matter is, as the Chief Minister has indicated, not what the reason for the absence is but whether the member has sought that leave of absence. I think in the circumstances it is churlish of us not to grant it.
I recall that members have made trips overseas for purposes other than parliamentary ones. I recall that Mrs Grassby went overseas last year. She was not, as far as I recall, attending to any parliamentary functions or working on behalf of any committee. She was graciously and promptly granted leave of this Assembly. Why cannot the Speaker be granted the same courtesy? What is more, Mrs Grassby had already left when the leave was sought. Mrs Grassby was in California when the leave was sought. It was given immediately, without hesitation. There was not one word of demur, as I recall, from those on this side of the house when they were on that side of the house. Apparently, however, once again the standards that applied to the Labor Party when it was in government no longer apply to the Labor Party in opposition. I do not intend to adopt those double standards. I intend to support this motion giving the Speaker leave.
MR ACTING SPEAKER: Mr Connolly asked for the matter to be adjourned. He was, however, according to standing order
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