Page 403 - Week 02 - Tuesday, 19 February 1991
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MR KAINE: I have just made the point that, with five out of 17, they clearly had no mandate. They had no mandate to do anything because they were a minority. On this side of the house there is a majority, a clear majority with a clear mandate to get on with the business of governing this Territory. Mr Connolly was not there; so he is not really a party to this argument. He has been appointed since to fill a vacancy. When he has been to the electorate on the basis of some sort of policy, if I can ever determine what the Labor Party's policies are - they duck for cover every time you talk about them - - -
Mr Connolly: It is very clear.
Mr Berry: You only have to put your glasses on.
Mr Connolly: We will sell you a copy of the platform.
MR KAINE: Let us have a look at your policy about school closures; let the people really see what your policy is, as apart from what you say about it. When Mr Connolly goes to an election and gets himself elected on the basis of some policies that he puts out to the electorate, then I will be prepared to listen to him talk about a mandate, but not before. He has no mandate; he is here by appointment and not by election. He did not go to any electorate with any policies and therefore cannot claim that he has any mandate except to fill a vacant slot for a few months until the next election.
I intend to support this motion from Mr Moore. It expresses my own view. I believe that it expresses the view of this Assembly that it is our responsibility to deal with this matter. I am not talking about rights; I am talking about responsibilities. I support Mr Moore, but I think that we should do away with a lot of this spurious argument and we should do away with a lot of this argument that suggests that the only way to win the debate is to attack somebody. I think that is unproductive. We would do better to agree on the merit of this motion and vote on it accordingly, and that is exactly what I intend to do, Mr Speaker.
MR STEVENSON (8.30): Mr Speaker, that is exactly what I intend to do as well. I intend to vote on the merit of the motion. I am greatly heartened by the many members in this Assembly who have supported a referendum. What a marvellous day in the history of self-government. The Chief Minister mentioned a mandate.
Mr Kaine: You have one, Dennis. You were elected.
Mr Duby: Seven per cent, wasn't it?
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