Page 2528 - Week 09 - Wednesday, 7 August 1991
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Mrs Nolan: It has been on the notice paper since 13 February.
MR BERRY: Right; but there is nothing hanging on it. I would just ask members to consider that there is another important matter which will come up this afternoon, in relation to fluoride in the water supply, and it would seem to me that this has some basis for Mr Stevenson moving his motion. I am a little concerned about that aspect of it. It is an important matter that has to be dealt with. We want to get on with the Government's program. We are not happy about having motions for the suspension of standing orders sprung on us, when until this point we have expected to be proceeding with the Government's program for this afternoon.
Mr Stevenson is going to have to learn that he has to convince the majority of members of this Assembly that there is good sense and some urgency in his proposals and that the public interest is best served by proceeding with his proposals as a matter of some urgency. He was not able to convince members of the Administration and Procedures Committee that that should be the case, and private members' business was ordered by members of that committee appropriately.
If Mr Stevenson cannot convince that committee that his business should be ordered higher than theirs, I think he has a hide to swan into the Assembly and try to suspend the standing orders of this Assembly and interfere with the Government's program for this afternoon. I think it is over the top, and I think it deserves to be opposed and go down.
MR KAINE (Leader of the Opposition) (3.07): Mr Speaker, I oppose Mr Stevenson's motion.
Mr Stevenson: On a point of order, Mr Speaker: Is this a point of order? I wish to speak to my motion for the suspension of standing orders.
MR SPEAKER: Order! Mr Stevenson, Mr Berry did not rise on a point of order. I thought you did not wish to speak, and you did not claim the right to do so.
Mr Humphries: You sat down after you put the motion.
MR SPEAKER: You sat down. I am afraid I misinterpreted your intention, but that is the way you indicated it to me. Mr Kaine, please proceed.
MR KAINE: Mr Stevenson well knows that the Liberals in the Assembly will support his Bill when it comes before the house; so, it is not a question of whether we agree or disagree with the subject matter that he wants to debate. We have supported him in the past; we will continue to support him in the future. But that is not the point at
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