Page 2346 - Week 08 - Friday, 21 June 1991
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
Mr Duby: That was two weeks ago.
MR HUMPHRIES: We have not had any discussions since on that matter, Mr Duby, and you are as capable of starting discussions as I am. I think this motion is appropriate. It puts into place what would be the case in any other parliament in the Westminster tradition. How you could possibly object to that, I do not know.
MR MOORE (8.05): Mr Speaker, I seek leave to speak again, very briefly, to clarify my position.
Leave granted.
MR MOORE: Thank you, members; I greatly appreciate that. Mr Speaker, earlier today we had a ballot for Leader of the Opposition. What has become apparent is that it was my vote that in fact broke the deadlock, as was the intention. I did say that it would have suited me better to get a 30-minute adjournment. That is certainly true; it would have. But I thought of that afterwards.
The reality is that this is a matter that needs to be resolved. Having looked at the arguments and having listened to Mr Humphries, I believe that it is appropriate that the Leader of the Opposition come from the major party, and I will actually support this motion to change standing orders. However, I still feel that a number of precedents have been set in this Assembly today which are to be regretted, at the very least.
MR COLLAERY (8.07): Mr Speaker, I would like to remind members of the self-government Act, in particular the provisions relating to the conduct and procedures of the Assembly. But that is all overshadowed by the enjoiner to us in section 16 that the Assembly should not conduct its affairs in an improper manner. I believe that members should be aware that this next twist of today's events is likely to attract far more odium than anything earlier today. It will attract the odium of many Australians who take the view that a poor loser who seeks to change the game plan after the race has been fairly won is not Australian. The average man in the street will see that. The average woman would probably agree, too.
Mr Speaker, the situation that you yourself are in is that you are presiding, as Speaker, over an issue on which, in my view, you should more properly abstain or step down from the chair. That will not do anything other than allow you to come down onto the floor and speak to this motion. I believe that we should hear your views, as the Speaker of this house, as to the propriety of the course of conduct being moved by your party leaders. And I say that with great respect, Mr Speaker.
Mr Humphries: Putting pressure on people; twisting the arm.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .