Page 3220 - Week 11 - Thursday, 13 September 1990
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this period of time of operation, was it so different? Why was it deliberately different? One has to ask. Maybe, it was because there was some suggestion that there may have been some minority government within the ACT. Therefore, it was important to enable that minority government not to have its programs upset by a greater opposition.
Mr Berry: Speculation.
MR JENSEN: It may not be speculation, Mr Berry. One must ask very carefully why there was this important difference. Why was this so important? Why was it different? Even if one looks at the explanatory comments in relation to this, unfortunately it does not follow this matter up; but clearly one has to wonder once again about the so-called bipartisanship attitude of the Opposition.
Mr Speaker, Opposition members knew that, once you had ruled that this Bill was out of order, in accordance with the standing orders the Government had no alternative whatsoever but to move for the Bill to be taken off the notice paper. That was why those opposite put this Bill on the table, for the first time, knowing full well that the Speaker would have no alternative but to rule the Bill out of order and then, of course, the Attorney-General would have to do exactly what he did.
In relation to the point raised by Mr Connolly on the other Bill that was put forward yesterday, there was clearly some doubt about it. But let me suggest to you that in clause 6 of the Human Rights Bill that Ms Follett put forward yesterday there was a clear suggestion that the Government was required to appoint a commissioner. I am sure that commissioners do not come cheaply. One has to pay for a commissioner. He is not going to do it for nothing.
On that basis the Government knew that this was in contravention of section 65 of the ACT self-government Act, and also the standing orders. We have heard some comment in relation to this matter in the past, about changes to standing orders. We may be able to change standing orders, but unfortunately we have no power to change the ACT self-government Act.
Ms Follett: What have you done about it?
MR JENSEN: Ask Mr Berry. Mr Berry is involved. I do not propose to get into discussions on committee deliberations, Mr Speaker, unlike some in this place. But I think it is important just to wonder why, why - - -
Ms Follett: You are a fraud.
MR JENSEN: No, there is only one fraud in this place, Mr Speaker, and it is sitting across there opposite me.
Ms Follett: It is you. You are a fraud.
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