Page 4364 - Week 15 - Wednesday, 21 November 1990
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
impressed. In fact, I am surprised that he impresses even himself. There have been differing opinions so far, and the qualification that Mr Brazil himself expressed in connection with his opinion. He expressed this qualification by saying that he thought that it would be a good thing for the Government to get the opinion of a queen's counsel. But Mr Berry does not want that bit. He is quite happy to reject that bit, because he thinks that he can pick and choose and select out of a piece of paper words and phrases that suit his cause, for the time being, and that is the end of the matter. Well, it is not, Mr Berry, because this Assembly, as Mr Jensen ably pointed out, is here for a long time, and the precedents that we establish now are going to determine how this Assembly does its business well into the next century, and beyond.
Some of us are concerned about the precedents that we set, but not Mr Berry. He wants a quick decision that suits him, because it suits his particular political position on a couple of issues today. Do not worry about tomorrow - that is Mr Berry. Do not worry about tomorrow; let tomorrow take care of itself. But we will have a decision today. If we pick and choose - pick a few paragraphs here and a few paragraphs there - we will get a decision that suits Mr Berry on two issues today - and forget the rest.
Mr Berry: Why don't you get three or four?
MR KAINE: Mr Berry, as I said before, when Mr Connolly finished speaking, this is an issue that is likely to claim the attention of lots of lawyers over a long time before it is finally resolved. That may well be true. When Mr Connolly is no longer a member of this Assembly, after the third week in February 1992, he may well appreciate the fact that he has a very lucrative area of business that he can pick up and spend the next 20 years or so on - becoming an expert in constitutional law. Mr Berry needs to re-evaluate his position. He is guilty of duplicity; he is guilty of posturing; he is guilty of politicising the committee; and he is guilty of equivocating on the opinion because it does not suit him.
Mr Berry: On a point of order: I think there is a clear imputation there, Mr Deputy Speaker, and I ask that you order the Chief Minister to withdraw that.
MR DEPUTY SPEAKER: I think it is marginal, Mr Berry. I think I will just allow that - - -
MR KAINE: Mr Deputy Speaker, if he does not like "duplicity" and "posturing", he uses them constantly.
MR DEPUTY SPEAKER: There is nothing wrong with "posturing", Chief Minister.
MR KAINE: Is "duplicity" all right?
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .