Page 3352 - Week 12 - Tuesday, 18 September 1990
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Mr Humphries, in particular, will dislike this because it shows that he is behind a Chief Minister who is prepared to try to mislead the people of the ACT in relation to the Estimates Committee proposals which have been decided upon appropriately by this Assembly in the past.
Mr Kaine: On a point of order, Mr Speaker: I am in no way attempting to mislead this house or anybody else. I would ask Mr Berry to withdraw that.
MR SPEAKER: Please withdraw that, Mr Berry.
MR BERRY: I will withdraw that, Mr Speaker.
Mr Kaine: Thanks.
MR BERRY: I will remember your gratitude, Mr Kaine. The fact of the matter is that Ms Follett moved on 28 September 1989:
That -
(1) an Estimates Committee be appointed to examine the expenditure proposals contained in the Appropriation Bill 1989-90;
(2) the committee to be chaired by the Leader of the Opposition and also comprise such other members of the Assembly who notify their nomination in writing to the Speaker;
(3) the committee meet on 10, 11 and 12 October 1989; and
(4) the committee report to the Assembly by 2 November 1989.
Mr Jensen: You did not have the numbers, Wayne. That was why it had to be done that way.
MR BERRY: The fact of the matter is that the Labor Party, with those people who supported it then, did have the numbers, Norm. That is the difficulty for you. But there were some changes later on in the light of some glittering prizes that were offered.
Then, Mr Kaine rose and sought leave to move together two amendments which he had circulated at the time. He moved - and this is a beauty:
... the committee shall consist of such members of the Assembly who notify their nomination in writing to the Speaker by 29 September 1989 ...
He talked just a moment ago about the ideas of the then Chief Minister when, in fact, what eventually were reflected in the decision of the Assembly were his own views. Now he has flown against the wind in putting together this proposal which is deliberately designed to freeze out members of the Opposition parties in this Assembly. It is made to ensure that the Government's budget will not be properly scrutinised because the proper
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