Page 450 - Week 02 - Tuesday, 19 February 1991
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MR HUMPHRIES: If that is the case, I suggest that you support what is in this motion. This is only the start of a campaign; I can see that. Those opposite want to pretend that we on this side are somehow secretly in favour of preserving d'Hondt, and that is going to be the theme of their campaign.
Mr Berry: You are. That is the secret agenda.
MR HUMPHRIES: Without any evidence at all, they are going to be saying that the Liberal Party is a secret supporter of the d'Hondt system. That is a lie, and I think Mr Berry ought to go outside the chamber and say that if he really thinks he is serious about it.
Mr Kaine: He should go and wash his mouth out.
MR HUMPHRIES: That is right, Chief Minister. "Labor gives you the system that you want", says Mr Connolly. If he really believes that, then let us put it to the referendum. Let us not impose on the ACT some system which we do not want; let us put it to a referendum. Why is his Federal colleague Mr Simmons going cold on a referendum? I can only assume that he is not so sure about the outcome as Mr Connolly and Ms Follett and others profess to be.
This motion is clear, it is unambiguous, it expresses no support whatever for the d'Hondt system; but it does call on the Federal Government to retain preferential voting so that residents of the Australian Capital Territory can enjoy the same rights as every other Australian. That should be a sentiment which we all completely support.
Mr Berry: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker, pursuant to standing order 47. I just raise this point very briefly. Mr Humphries' motion makes it clear that the Federal Government's apparent intention to abolish preferential voting in the ACT - - -
Mr Kaine: On a point of order, Mr Speaker: This is not a point of order. He is trying to read into the Hansard something which is totally untrue.
MR SPEAKER: Order! Standing order 47 provides for members to explain words that may have been misunderstood, so please do not read - - -
Mr Berry: I would not do anything outside the standing orders.
Mr Kaine: Nothing has been misunderstood. He is merely trying to read into the record something that he wants there.
Mr Berry: Mr Speaker, the only way that what Mr Humphries says is apparent can be achieved is by removing the Hill amendment - which suggests that Mr Humphries supports the Hill amendment.
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