Page 231 - Week 02 - Tuesday, 12 May 1992
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Mr Kaine: Even the notice paper does not tell us what it is about.
MR HUMPHRIES: Even that does not say what it is about. The fact is, Madam Speaker, that in the past the Australian Labor Party members have jumped up and down in this place, like jack-in-the-boxes, demanding or insisting that they have two hours' notice of what is coming up in ministerial statements in order to give proper and fair notice to those on the other side of the chamber. Mr Berry in particular should recall the number of times he rose, quivering with righteousness, about not having received his two hours' notice. Well, Madam Speaker, I am quivering with righteousness today and I want my two hours' notice. We have not had it. He will have to ask for the suspension of standing orders to achieve it today.
MR BERRY (Deputy Chief Minister) (3.21), in reply: Madam Speaker, the member who has just spoken is being just a trifle precious, I think. I am not going to go into the detail of discussions I have had with the Liberal Whip. I made it clear that there was to be a statement by the Chief Minister. There was no objection - - -
Mr Humphries: When? Two hours ago?
MR BERRY: I spoke to him on the telephone and discussed the issue with - - -
Mr Humphries: When did you do so?
MR BERRY: The timing escapes me for the moment.
Mr De Domenico: At a quarter past two.
MR BERRY: At a quarter past two, was it? Fine.
Mr De Domenico: At about 2.14, actually.
MR BERRY: Well, I will accept that.
Mr Humphries: You asked for two hours when you were in opposition.
MR BERRY: Would you like to wait until I am finished? I discussed it with the Whip and there was no objection then to the matter going ahead. Had he raised an objection in relation to the matter then, we would have taken the matter on board. There was no objection raised and, as far as I am concerned, adequate notice had been given. We discussed what the Leader of the Opposition might do with it; whether he might adjourn it and talk about the issue later.
Mr Kaine: That is interesting. I do not know what I might do with it yet, since I do not know what we are going to be debating.
MR BERRY: I think the most significant point is that discussions have been had. There seems to be a communication breakdown. Apologies for any inconvenience that might have been caused to the Liberal Party, but there is a substantive motion.
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