Page 4358 - Week 15 - Wednesday, 21 November 1990
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to suggest that the Government resiles from debate. What the Government is doing is acting prudently, lawfully and carefully on a very vexed and unclear question as to the interpretation of section 65. I draw the attention of members to the Hansard debates when Ms Follett's Appropriation Bill was being debated. You will find in Hansard my comments drawing attention to the fact that section 65 required a closer interpretation and that it was not free from doubt.
Those comments were made by me and addressed to Ms Follett more than a year ago, and no action was taken by Ms Follett in government. It is only appropriate now that she has to wait while we resolve it.
MR BERRY (10.49): This is just another delaying tactic, another tacky delaying tactic, by Mr Collaery.
Mr Kaine: If it is a delaying tactic, why do not you sit down and we will vote on it. We will vote on it right now. No problem.
MR BERRY: Other Government members have to support Mr Collaery to get him off the hook, otherwise he will probably go haywire. The fact of the matter is that Mr Collaery is working hard to stop this matter, particularly the hospitals Bill being discussed because the Residents Rally executive have instructed him to stop the fast tracking and closure of Royal Canberra Hospital.
Mr Collaery will be tested when it comes to the debate on that issue. He does not want to be in it. Trevor Kaine, although he has told us today that he has not had to threaten to resign, might have to if it comes to that issue.
Mr Kaine: No, not today. I told you I was not going to do it today.
MR BERRY: All right. Of course, Mr Collaery, in his duplicity, has forgotten the move-on powers Bill when he was involved in that debate. Of course, there is no concern about that matter at all. Expert advice has been sought on this issue. The Administration and Procedures Committee has decided to ignore that advice and has recommended another course. The Government has decided to ignore the Administration and Procedures Committee's recommendation and to take away from the Administration and Procedures Committee the right to choose what counsel it would wish to brief and what questions it might ask of counsel.
It seems to me that what the Government is setting out to do is to usurp the role - - -
Mr Collaery: Be careful.
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