Page 4361 - Week 15 - Wednesday, 21 November 1990
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not do it in public, the fact that Mr Brazil recommended to the Administration and Procedures Committee that, in fact, this matter be referred to a QC. I will get to that before I conclude my remarks.
In fact, that is what is going to happen by virtue of the nature of the recommendation by the Administration and Procedures Committee. In fact, it will be referred to a QC because, whether Mr Berry is aware of it or not - and I know that he is because it was discussed yesterday - the person who is likely to provide this information and advice to the Assembly will, in fact, be a QC. He will be the Solicitor-General. It will be the Solicitor-General that the matter is referred to by the Minister through the Attorney-General. Mr Berry knows that. He was in the committee yesterday. That is the proposal. That is what it is all about. That is that. That is completely separate from the request that has been put by the Government to another QC. So, in fact, what we are going to end up with, probably, is another two reports from QCs.
It will be interesting to see what will happen when we do get those reports from the QCs, because Mr Berry, when he saw the report from the Government Solicitor, did not accept it. He was not prepared to accept that particular report. He, therefore, sought another one. He was happy with half of that response, but he was not happy with the second half. What is going to happen if this particular advice, or two sets of advice, are put before the Assembly? What is going to happen if they do not agree with Mr Berry's feelings and the feelings of the Labor Party? Are they going to accept that advice and say that that is the end of it? I would suggest not. They will not do that.
Mr Berry will continue to see whether he can wriggle out of this matter. It is incredible hypocrisy on the part of Mr Berry and the members opposite. It is important that this matter be raised and resolved at a very early stage in the life of this Assembly. This is a new Assembly. It is barely - - -
Mr Berry: Next Wednesday?
MR JENSEN: That is a good point that Mr Berry has raised. That, quite clearly, is up to the people from whom the advice is sought. Does Mr Berry want us to say to the QC who is given this job, "Put everything aside. We must have this by next week"? Let us see what happens. It will be up to the QC to make his decision as to when it is provided. I am sure that whoever provides this information to the Assembly will be fully aware of the importance of the issue, and, in fact, would seek to do it expeditiously, which, I think, is important.
It is interesting that Ms Follett walks out once again. It is amazing that she seems to do it whenever, in fact, a little bit of heat is turned up on them. It is incredible. What I was saying was that it is appropriate to ensure, at
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