Page 3216 - Week 11 - Thursday, 13 September 1990
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
legislation. But what the Attorney-General has sought to do is to ensure that private members can never do anything in this place in terms of legislation that could be described as meaningful.
The Government has set out to prevent the debate of private members' legislation, because it would show the flaws in its political position, and it would particularly show the flaws in the position of the Residents Rally party. To maintain any credibility in the community over these sorts of issues Rally members would have to support the Labor Party, and they would have to support the other members on the opposition benches in relation to this legislation. Of course, it would then be even more difficult for its members to argue that they ought to be part of the conservative Government opposite, and it would become more pointed that they are in it only for what they can get out of it personally. All of these issues are matters which should not escape public scrutiny.
Mr Speaker, this issue is about blocking sensible discussion of important legislation. It is about the refusal of some members of the Government opposite to admit that they have made a grave mistake. It is not the Opposition's position in relation to this matter to rub their noses in it although, politically, that opportunity looks attractive from time to time. It is a matter of the Opposition seeking to ensure that there is reasoned debate about important legislation. I think the Government's behaviour on this issue is scandalous; it will go on the record as being scandalous.
In relation to the adjournment of this issue, Government members have even prevented us from seeking senior legal advice to assure this Assembly that it is doing the right or the wrong thing respectively. The blocking of the procurement of that advice before making a decision on this issue, I think, clearly establishes what their position is. They are frightened of what the outcome might be. This is a bloody-minded approach to the issue and I have to say that they will pay the price for it. It is unreasonable and bloody-minded. It is intended to stop the reasoned debate.
Mr Jensen: Only if you misrepresent, Wayne.
MR BERRY: I hear Mr Jensen interjecting; I could not hear what he said.
Mr Jensen: Only if you misrepresent the issue. That is what I said.
MR BERRY: I am pleased that Mr Jensen used the word "misrepresentation", because this is what the Residents Rally members have done in relation to their attendance at this place from very early days.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .