Page 3340 - Week 12 - Tuesday, 17 September 1991
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There was one particular point to which I do take exception, and that is the setting aside of the standing order that prescribes that the first speaker from the Opposition shall have unrestricted time to respond. Mr Berry is proposing that that time be restricted to the same amount of time taken by the Treasurer in presenting her paper. That is, in my view, an unreasonable setting aside of the standing orders. She might decide to present her budget in five minutes, for all I know, and I am not prepared to accept such a proposition without fully exploring the circumstances of it. So, I would have to say that, in principle, I do not agree with setting aside the standing orders on such a broad basis as is now proposed by the Deputy Chief Minister.
MR COLLAERY (2.33): Mr Speaker, we do not have the motion before us. It has been read out, but it has not been circulated in the chamber. It is difficult, in those circumstances, to know what standing order Mr Berry is seeking to suspend.
MR SPEAKER: I ask that copies of the motion be distributed to the members. Copies are coming; but, of course, it is a suspension of the standing orders on this basis.
MR BERRY (Deputy Chief Minister) (2.33), in reply: Unless somebody else wishes to speak, I will speak on the matter. It is regrettable that the Leader of the Opposition is not able to comment on the basis of having been informed of the motion, but I understand that this matter was taken up with parties and groups within the Assembly. Mr Speaker, the major issue of concern that was raised by the Leader of the Opposition was the amount of time that he could speak - - -
Mr Kaine: That is one matter; just one.
MR BERRY: I will respond to the major issue of concern that you raised, Mr Kaine, and that was the amount of time that you would have to speak on the subject. The motion quite clearly says, "that the time limits on the speeches of all leaders of parties be equivalent to the time taken by the Treasurer", but I will give you my unconditional guarantee that if you require extra time to respond there will certainly be no blockage of that by the Government.
Mr Kaine: Is everybody else in the Assembly going to stand behind your guarantee?
MR BERRY: One thing that I can do, Mr Kaine, is count; and I know that, between us, you will be able to speak for as long as you like.
MR SPEAKER: I would like to put the question at this time.
Mr Moore: Wait till we look at the motion, Mr Speaker.
MR SPEAKER: In fact, Mr Berry has closed the debate. Have members had time to read it? You can speak by leave to this, if you wish.
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