Page 559 - Week 02 - Thursday, 21 February 1991
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to do its work, not wanting to do its job, not wanting to contribute. That is shown to be nonsense because, where the Government chooses not to place the Executive Deputy with portfolio responsibility in charge of a committee, we participate fully in the work of the committees. I participate in Ms Maher's committee, which meets regularly and often. There is quite an amount of work. Other members of the Opposition do the same. This is the point of principle: You cannot be an Executive Deputy and hold yourself out as the Government spokesperson on an issue, and still chair a committee.
Mr Kaine: It is a spurious point of principle that you stand on, and you are a lawyer.
MR CONNOLLY: It is not a spurious point, Chief Minister.
Mr Kaine: It is.
MR CONNOLLY: If you would only look above the personalities and the cheap politics in this and look at the principle, I am sure that you would be compelled to the same solution.
MR DUBY (Minister for Finance and Urban Services), by leave: Mr Speaker, there are a couple of points which were raised by Mr Connolly which I think simply have to be cleared. The simple fact is that no Executive Deputy has any portfolio responsibilities in this Government. And what is more to the point, Mr Speaker, Mr Connolly knows that. Why are you trying to put falsehoods into the record, Mr Connolly? You maintain that Mr Jensen, for example, has portfolio responsibilities for matters of planning. That is simply not true. You said in your statement that the Executive Deputies have a role in the Executive - in the Executive of this Government. You know as well as I do that that is simply not the case. It is a spurious argument and you are well aware of it.
The fact is that members of this Assembly are perfectly entitled to go on committees, and members may have special interests in special areas. For example, why are you the Labor Party nominee on the Legal Affairs Committee? Clearly, because you have a legal background and a legal interest. Why do other members go on a whole range of other issues? Because they have special interests in those regards. For example, Mr Jensen has an interest in matters of planning, Ms Maher has an interest in matters of social policy, et cetera. To say that those people should divorce themselves from being involved in those committees which apply to their special talents and interests is clearly ludicrous.
Mr Speaker, it is up to the committee to elect its chairman. To say that this Government, this Executive, has any say, in any way, or involvement in the election of chairs is out of the question. The chairs are elected by those committees. It is clear that Labor does not like the
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