Page 2376 - Week 08 - Friday, 21 June 1991
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Mr Duby: Mr Speaker, I am the duly elected Leader of the Opposition in this Assembly and I have not resigned from that position and, Mr Speaker, - - -
MR SPEAKER: Order! Mr Duby, are you speaking to a point of order or are you seeking to make a statement?
Mr Duby: I certainly am, Mr Speaker. It is a very important point of order. I would ask that you direct Mr Humphries to refrain from taking, either directly or indirectly, any remuneration, allowance, honorarium or reward for services rendered in the Assembly as Leader of the Opposition, for fear that he may well be, until this matter is sorted out, in breach of the self-government Act.
MR SPEAKER: Order, Mr Duby! I do not believe that this is a point of order. You are debating an issue. If you wish to seek leave to make a statement, you may do so; but that is not a point of order.
I will bring this to a conclusion if I can, if you will allow me to. It seems that the expressed wish of the majority of the members of this house is that the vote that we took earlier be upheld. Mr Humphries has agreed to become Leader of the Opposition. I assure the Assembly that I will seek a legal opinion on the validity of that position taken by the majority of the members. I declare forthwith that Mr Humphries is declared Leader of the Opposition.
Mr Collaery: I take a point of order, Mr Speaker. Why take a legal opinion if you are prejudging the issue? I regard that as grossly improper, with respect. Mr Duby is Leader of the Opposition until you get the right legal opinion, and Mr Humphries risks office in this Assembly.
MR SPEAKER: Order, Mr Collaery! The majority of the members are directing me in this task. It is now concluded.
POLICE OFFENCES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991
MR STEFANIAK: In light of the fact that we now have six sitting days in August, including two private members' days - the 7th and the 14th - I seek leave to adjourn the presentation of the Police Offences (Amendment) Bill 1991 to Wednesday, 7 August 1991.
MR SPEAKER: I am not quite sure just what you have done, Mr Stefaniak.
MR STEFANIAK: It is a written notice.
MR SPEAKER: You seek leave to adjourn that?
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