Page 3367 - Week 12 - Tuesday, 18 September 1990
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MR JENSEN: I propose to be brief tonight. Members opposite, especially Mr Connolly, who was not there, of course - I am talking about last year during the Estimates Committee - seem to forget that every member of the Senate does not participate in the deliberations of the Estimates Committees. So, how can he say here tonight that all members cannot question Ministers during the Estimates Committee?
The point in relation to this matter is that every member of the Assembly who is not a member of the Executive or holds your position as Speaker will be quite welcome and quite able to question the Ministers and their officials in relation to every matter that is in the budget statements. There are no problems at all, Mr Speaker. That is not at issue.
Mr Moore, I think, suggests the problem associated with the ability to deliberate during the committee discussions. Let me assure you, Mr Speaker, that, once again, not every member of the Senate participates or is able to participate in the Estimates Committees that are run on the other hill.
Mr Moore: Who cares less what happens in the Senate? I want open government here. You did once, too.
MR JENSEN: I will get to that in a minute, Mr Moore. Therefore, Mr Speaker, not everyone will want to question. However, let me make this point in relation to the transcripts. Every day of the Estimates Committee there will be a transcript produced. Those of you opposite who are not too lazy will have the opportunity to read, very carefully, those transcripts.
During the debates that will no doubt follow the Estimates Committee, Mr Moore, if you think that the Estimates Committee has been slack or idle or has not followed up a particular point that you would like followed up, if you are not on the Estimates Committee you will be able to raise those issues, very carefully, in an open manner in this house, where everyone can hear and listen to what you are saying. You will be able to put forward the point in exactly the same way that you can do in every other committee if you want.
How many times, Mr Speaker, has Mr Moore presented himself to any of the other committees, other than the one he has been on, to ask questions? Not once, Mr Speaker, have I seen him come down to any of the committees that I have been involved in and seek to ask questions on anything. There have been public hearings all the time. Not once have I seen Mr Berry, not once have I seen Mr Connolly and not once have I seen Ms Follett at committees other than those they have been involved in.
Mr Moore: Not once have I seen Mr Jensen in any of my committees.
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