Page 84 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 12 February 1991
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entire approach to the future of self-government in the ACT - the electoral system and the number of Ministers - has been around the issue of self-interest. We know, for example, that self-interest was the motivating factor which drew that Government together and, of course, that is the sort of self-interest that has caused so much dismay and concern in the community about the Government's performance.
What this all boils down to is that, whenever a decision is made in relation to the number of Ministers - and I suspect that that would be later rather than earlier this year - the Government opposite, in particular the Liberal faction of the Government, will have to make a decision on whether it will deliver on the promise that was made to the Residents Rally. Of course, that will be a political question; it will be one for the Government to address in the context of the forthcoming election. I doubt that they would have the courage, even though they have said that they have the conviction that there should be a new ministry for Mr Jensen. There is some doubt that they will have the courage at that time because, again, self-interest will get in the way - because some of them actually think that they will survive the next election. Some of them think they will survive; some of them know that they will not, and it is getting to be about the majority of those opposite who know that they will not be back. Some of them, like Mr Kaine, if he can sort out the numbers between himself and Mr Humphries, might make it; but after those two it is getting pretty doubtful.
What we have to do about the need for new Ministers in the context of this debate is to just have a look at the short history of the Government, which is outlined in this very fine document, The Schools Issue. Mr Speaker, I seek leave to table that document.
Leave granted.
Dr Kinloch: On a point of order, Mr Speaker, if it is a point of order: Are we allowed to table fiction?
MR SPEAKER: That is not a valid point of order. Please proceed, Mr Berry.
MR BERRY: It is a frivolous point of order from a member whose nose is getting longer after today's performance. As the word spreads amongst the community and Dr Kinloch's nose grows longer because of his performance on issues in this Territory, I suspect that, irrespective of the Ministers that are appointed, we will see a result that means the demise of Dr Kinloch as far as politics in the Territory is concerned. Some of us would welcome that.
I will just quote from this document. In 1988, Ms Follett, the then President of the ACT branch of the ALP, said that she:
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