Page 703 - Week 03 - Thursday, 21 May 1992
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
Madam Speaker, the real problem with today's discussion and debate is that it is obvious that some members of the Opposition simply have not read the paper tabled in this Assembly which details this matter. It is obvious from the comments that they have passed that they have not read the paper. It has been available for them to do so for a considerable period. When you consider that it is a four-page document - a five-page document - - -
Mr Cornwell: Five-and-a-half, actually.
MR LAMONT: That would probably be seven days for you to read it. I understand that.
Mr Cornwell: You cannot even get the numbers right.
MR LAMONT: It is seven days since it was introduced. One would have assumed that they could have given it at least a cursory glance. It is apparent that they have not done so.
We believe that it is good business for the Assembly to order its business in this way and the Administration and Procedures Committee believes that it is good business for the Assembly to order its business in this way. I certainly support that proposition. I believe that it would be unfortunate in the extreme if we ran this Assembly on the basis that if somebody has not read a paper we will just defer it. There is an obligation on members, all members, to read and understand the papers tabled in this house. If they have chosen not to do so, then I do not believe that the business of the Assembly should be penalised because of it. I therefore seek support from everybody, including a free-range vote in the Opposition, to endorse this proposal.
Question put:
That the motion (Mr Lamont's) be agreed to.
A vote having been called for and the bells being rung -
MADAM SPEAKER: Since Mr Stevenson has indicated that he will not be here this morning, I believe that all members who are to vote are present.
The Assembly voted -
AYES, 10 NOES, 6
Mr Berry Mrs Carnell
Mr Connolly Mr Cornwell
Ms Ellis Mr De Domenico
Ms Follett Mr Humphries
Mrs Grassby Mr Kaine
Mr Lamont Mr Westende
Ms McRae
Mr Moore
Ms Szuty
Mr Wood
Question so resolved in the affirmative.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .