Page 2689 - Week 10 - Tuesday, 13 August 1991
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Dr Kinloch: Mr Speaker, my point of order is related to two members of the Assembly being referred to as smear merchants, as if they were in some kind of competition with each other on such a matter. I do not think it is suitable for this Assembly.
MR BERRY: Well, righteous indignation from Hector Kinloch aside, I think the term "smear" is quite appropriate to what has just been undertaken by Mr Collaery, and we have heard the same sort of approach from Mr Stevenson. I think it is a quite appropriate tag.
Mr Collaery: I take a point of order, Mr Speaker. An enormous level of sensitivity, post-dinner sensitivity, on the part of the Labor side of this house, is making a mountain out of a molehill. The fact is that a seemingly innocuous reference to a proper investigatory body of payments which are unusual to a member of parliament has produced this reaction and, Mr Speaker, allows this gentleman across the way to call me a smear merchant. That is inappropriate conduct when we are talking about investigating the use of government funds.
Mr Connolly: Even though you think the police should be investigating it, and me.
MR SPEAKER: Order!
MR BERRY: I am not inclined to withdraw it.
Mr Collaery: Mr Speaker, through you, there is an interjection saying that I think the police should inquire. I said that I believe the Auditor-General should. But he is somewhat disabled at the moment.
MR SPEAKER: I think the remarks made are regrettable and I would ask that Mr Berry withdraw that. I do not think we are getting anywhere with this continuing - - -
MR BERRY: Mr Speaker, I am not inclined to withdraw them unless you order me to; and I do not believe that I should be ordered to withdraw them, because my view is that they are quite appropriate in the light of the members' behaviour.
MR SPEAKER: Mr Berry, there was not a member named by Mr Collaery. He was making a general statement against an action, and in this case you are making an accusation against him. To resolve the issue, I would ask you to withdraw that and, please, let us get on with it.
MR BERRY: I am not inclined to agree with your request, Mr Speaker. I will only withdraw it if you order me to. You create the precedent, Mr Speaker. This is a little bit like "furphy", I suspect.
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