Page 556 - Week 02 - Thursday, 21 February 1991
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MR COLLAERY (Attorney-General), by leave: Mr Speaker, I want to put this matter in context. The context is that the Labor Party's refusal to cooperate with the committee system of this Assembly is simply part of an overall tactic by the Opposition to make government more difficult and to make this chamber less workable. It is a matter that will no doubt be noted by the Remuneration Tribunal when it comes tomorrow. The failure of Mr Berry or one of his colleagues to earn their pay by contributing to the committee system will reflect unfavourably on all of us as well.
I remind the Assembly and Mr Wood, who has raised a great red herring about another issue in his response - his very shallow and superficial response, unbecoming of his usual performance - that the committee system is vital to the good functioning of democracy in the Territory. Let me give you a clear example that is proof that this tactic permeates their approach to democracy in this chamber. Having been put out of government, they decided that they would not cooperate. We see evidence of that in the filibustering and the time wasting tactics used day by day in this chamber.
Mr Wood: Time wasting? Tell us about the last two days!
MR COLLAERY: Mr Wood says that the debate on self-determination for the Territory was time wasting. Let the record show that again; we have got it from him now.
Mr Wood: At what time did we knock off yesterday?
MR COLLAERY: You are the third member to say that. You know where we went yesterday, do you not? Mr Speaker, the record shows - and I am sure that the media know this; I am sure that the media pay attention to it - that this bunch opposite have rarely, if ever, used question time to ask me any questions about the portfolios I hold. That is quite relevant to this issue. It is relevant because it shows a disinclination on the part of the Opposition to perform the traditional functions of government in the chamber and, as the Chief Minister says very accurately, "earn their pay".
Mr Speaker, let me read from House of Representatives Practice, page 507:
One of the more important functions of the Parliament is its critical function. This includes criticism of the Executive Government, bringing to light perceived abuses, ventilating grievances, exposing, and thereby preventing the Government from exercising, arbitrary power, and pressing the Government to take remedial or other actions.
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