Page 3119 - Week 11 - Wednesday, 12 September 1990
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MR HUMPHRIES: It would certainly be a shorter period than until 20 November, Mr Stevenson. I argue that it would have to be before 20 November because I think that, if the decision is to stand, then it is very clear that you cannot allow schools that are going to close a mere one month in which to make appropriate decisions. That would be entirely inappropriate and those on the opposite side of the chamber who were involved directly or indirectly with school closures in 1988 will know that it is not feasible to allow schools just four weeks in which to make arrangements about closure. I think, Mr Speaker, that ought to make this debate unnecessary, but I suspect that it will not. I do believe that the Government, having said this, is entitled to call on the community, particularly those people who have opposed the decision in the past, to agree to accept the results of the umpire's decision.
Ms Follett: Why should they?
MR HUMPHRIES: Because, Ms Follett, if you expect the Government to submit itself to independent inquiries of the kind that Mr Wood was talking about, you are entitled at some point to say, "Where does the community's right to campaign against and argue against and oppose, even physically oppose, Government decisions end?".
Ms Follett: It does not. This is a democracy. There is no end.
MR HUMPHRIES: I am sorry. I have a different view, I am afraid. It is my view, Mr Speaker, that at some point the Government has to get on with the decision. It has to make every effort to lay the facts on the table, to produce its evidence of its decision, but it must ultimately make some decisions.
Mr Berry: It never ends.
MR HUMPHRIES: It does end, Mr Berry. It ended in your case when you actually closed six schools.
Mr Berry: We never closed them. We promised not to close schools and delivered on that promise.
MR HUMPHRIES: You did close six schools, Mr Berry. The party that you supported and of which you are a member closed six schools in 1987-1988. You cannot get out of the fact. I suspect that many people will criticise the Government for having agreed to this inquiry on the basis that it demonstrates some lack of commitment or lack of confidence in its figures.
Mr Moore: Hear, hear!
MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Moore says "Hear, hear", but of course Mr Moore has been one of those who have been urging such an inquiry, and he would no doubt be supporting today Mr Stevenson's motion and would be urging us, on this side of
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