Page 2161 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 29 May 1991
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So, any suggestion that Mr Collaery somehow did not do the honourable thing and should have resigned is frankly a load of piffle. The simple fact is that they knew what their actions would lead to. They took the action that they felt, for whatever reason - I do not agree with their action - they needed to take and, as a result, they are no longer members of the Government.
Mr Moore: David Read put the lie to that on radio this morning.
MR DUBY: Mr Read is not a member of this Assembly or this Government, and that is neither here nor there. We all know that on many occasions what the executive of the Rally says is different from what the members of the Rally do.
Let us keep that in perspective. The simple fact is that the members of the Rally took a position; they knew what it would lead to, and they knew what the outcome would be. As a result of that, we now have a minority government instead of a majority government, and that is the thing to remember. I am sorry to see the Rally depart from the benches of government. But I am sure those opposite will find to their dismay that, as things eventuate, the Rally members have not joined the Opposition; they will fulfil the true role of what people on the cross bench should do, Mr Moore. Your voting record indicates quite dramatically that for all intents and purposes you are an ex officio member of the Labor Party.
Mr Moore: You can try that on as much as you like, Craig.
MR DUBY: It is a simple fact.
Mr Moore: You look at the voting, and you will find my vote an equal number of times with the Liberals.
MR DUBY: It is a simple fact. The only matters on which you vote with this Government are procedural votes. When it comes to matters of issue, at all times you support the Opposition. You are, in effect, the sixth member of the Labor Party. Unfortunately, you left your run too late. You should have joined the unaligned movement, led by Mr Wood, at the voting on Saturday. You may well have had a seat on the ticket. Given the numbers position that was demonstrated on Saturday, you may well have had a seat on the ticket ahead of Mr Connolly if you had played your cards right; but you blew it.
As I said, this is made out to be a matter of great rancour, distaste and bitter feeling between members and former members of this Alliance Government. Such is not the case, and I want to stress that from my point of view. Mr Collaery and the Residents Rally will now fulfil the role to which I think they have always been naturally attuned - that of being proper cross bench members of this Assembly.
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