Page 1816 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 1 May 1991
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Mr Speaker, there was a period of two weeks - 14 days - between then and now, and we are sitting here today without any indication of any amendments from the Opposition. There are no amendments to say, "We have addressed this issue". There was no indication in the debate, for example, by Mr Connolly who followed Mr Collaery, that he was going to respond to those issues and that he was going to deal with them. What is the Opposition's view? Are the points that Mr Collaery has raised valid objections, or are they not? We are entitled to know.
Ms Follett: What are they?
MR HUMPHRIES: I just went through them. The Bill contravenes the Privacy Act; it offers police immunity from civil litigation; it ascribes powers of custody to authorised persons and also accords them immunity from civil litigation.
Mr Berry: Rubbish! You are rubbishing your own drafting people, are you?
MR HUMPHRIES: I think it is reasonable to ask: What is the attitude of the Opposition to those issues? Are they fair comment, or are they not?
Mr Moore: No. Therefore, if you want to do it, you have to put an amendment.
MR HUMPHRIES: We have indicated clearly what we see as the problems with the Bill. If you are not prepared to address those issues and at least look at the question of privacy and immunity from litigation, then I am afraid that you have to expect that we might vote against the Bill. That is the risk that you run. I think, Mr Speaker, that it is unfair to expect the Government to have to fix up all the poorly drafted and improperly drafted legislation which comes forward from the Opposition. It really is an unacceptable burden to place on the Government, given that it has its own very extensive and very heavy legislative program. So, I say that I think that there is a responsibility on the part of the Opposition to accept the advice offered by the Chief Law Officer on the matter and to accept - - -
Mr Berry: What advice?
MR HUMPHRIES: You obviously were not - - -
Mr Collaery: Read your Hansard of 17 April.
Mr Berry: How many times have I written to you and asked you what your problems were, shirker?
Mr Collaery: I gave you the answer on 17 April.
Mr Berry: That is right; you did, too. You said that you would tell us in the Assembly, but it would not - - -
MR SPEAKER: Order, Mr Berry!
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