Page 4872 - Week 16 - Thursday, 29 November 1990
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I am sure the Master of the Rolls was referring to "she" as well.
Mr Kaine: We are thinking of fixing this problem for you, so do not get too excited about it.
MR BERRY: I am not getting very excited. The Chief Minister has invited me not to get too excited. I will not, and I take on board his interjection that they are thinking of fixing it.
Mr Kaine: He will not like the solution either.
MR BERRY: I am disappointed at the other interjection, that we may not like the solution. Nevertheless, if it satisfies our basic requirement that the appearance of independence of those committees is preserved, the Labor Party will participate freely in those committees.
MR COLLAERY (Attorney-General) (5.15): Just briefly, Mr Speaker, I think that if one looks at the extremely tight discipline and caucus rules of the Labor Party one sees an absolute contradiction in what Mr Berry says. No party more rigidly controls its members than the Labor Party.
Mr Connolly: On a point of order: relevance, Mr Speaker.
MR COLLAERY: I am speaking about the independence of committees.
Mr Connolly: The internal party rules of the Opposition have little or nothing to do - - -
MR COLLAERY: I am talking about control.
MR SPEAKER: Mr Connolly, Mr Berry introduced that argument.
MR COLLAERY: It is a legitimate argument, I think. Mr Berry is saying - it is arguable - that an Executive Deputy is somehow part of a process that predestines an outlook and a chairing role on the committee. I equally make the point that the Opposition caucus approach is so tight and disciplined - it is something of which it is very proud - that equally we could put the same argument at any time about putting you - - -
Mr Berry: Your eyes are going green. Old green eyes.
MR COLLAERY: We are the party of individuality. We are not marching there like clockwork - clockwork red. Mr Speaker, we could say that Mr Bill Wood should not be chairing a committee. Very few governments in the parliamentary process in this country permit the Opposition to chair such important committees. It is a great credit
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