Page 2599 - Week 09 - Thursday, 8 August 1991
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The recall of the Assembly for 21 June - and I am sure members will be aware of this - was initiated by me as Chief Minister. Arrangements were made for the cost of Mr Moore's economy class air fare to be met from the Executive budget. The cost of that air fare was $1,380; no other costs were covered. So, the only costs covered in relation to Mr Moore's recall were those directly related to his return for that day of sitting.
Mr Speaker, I think you would agree that there has not been a clear policy governing the return of members who are absent on leave when a recall is made. Indeed, I think this is the first occasion on which it has occurred. I made a decision at the time to cover the costs of Mr Moore's air fares to return from leave as the recall was initiated by the Executive. It was made at my instigation. If the recall was initiated by an absolute majority of members, in other words, by the Assembly itself, I would expect the costs to be covered from the Assembly budget.
MR COLLAERY: I ask a supplementary question, Mr Speaker. Is it not a fact, Chief Minister, that the Speaker had already foreshadowed by letters to party leaders that the house would be recalled to attend to the rates Bill on, at that time, 13 or 14 June? Was not Mr Moore aware that he would not be returning for that debate when he sought leave of this Assembly on the 6th? Did not Mr Moore's recall to this chamber by you follow a conversation between Mr Berry and Mr Moore in which membership of committees was discussed?
MR SPEAKER: Mr Collaery, I believe that it is drawing a long bow to ask the Chief Minister questions relating to Mr Moore's thoughts.
Ms Follett: What was in his mind.
MR COLLAERY: Not what was in Mr Moore's mind; what the Chief Minister knew of what was going on.
MR SPEAKER: Please proceed, Chief Minister.
MS FOLLETT: I will answer to the best of my ability. It is my recollection that what indications there had been of an extra sitting day were initiated by the previous Government. So, at the time of the change of government there was not a clear understanding of whether an additional sitting would be required and there was certainly no understanding of on what date it would be required. I think that is the fact of the matter.
Mr Collaery has also asked me whether Mr Moore was aware of the requirement for an extra sitting day. I am afraid he will have to ask Mr Moore that. I assume that Mr Moore would have been generally aware, as were most of us, that under Mr Kaine's Government there was a proposal around for an extra day's sitting.
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