Page 2351 - Week 09 - Wednesday, 16 September 1992
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MR DE DOMENICO (12.14): Madam Speaker, we have just heard one of the most irrelevant pieces of diatribe. It is quite obvious, Madam Speaker. Let me quote fully, unlike members on the opposite side of the chamber. We believe in telling it as it is, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Let us see what Dr Hewson did actually say. I will quote, Madam Speaker.
Mr Connolly: Relevance, Mr Humphries?
MR DE DOMENICO: This is very relevant, Mr Connolly. If you sit down and listen you might learn something. I quote what Dr Hewson did say:
We will do all we can to ensure that this construction proposal is not railroaded through the Parliament's proper approval processes and that contracts are not signed before the next election. We will ensure over the coming months that all aspects of the Government's proposed building - including the tendering process and other alternatives to address the current accommodation problem - are fully and properly scrutinised.
That is very credible, Madam Speaker, and it is very right.
Mr Kaine: It is the same process that the Government here used in connection with the South Building.
MR DE DOMENICO: That is right. I also repeat for the record something else that Dr Hewson said, Madam Speaker. I quote:
We do not doubt that the current building in which the Department is housed has health and occupational safety problems. These need to be remedied as soon as possible.
So much for the humbug and the distortions said by people on the other side of the house. What we are seeing here this morning, Madam Speaker, is an attempt by the mouthpieces of other Federal members to stand up here and play politics. If they want to play politics, we will play politics too.
Mr Humphries: They accused us of the same thing.
MR DE DOMENICO: We are accused of doing the same thing. When we realise who the mouthpieces are speaking on behalf of, Madam Speaker, we all know why this is going on.
Mr Connolly: I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I think it is quite inconsistent with parliamentary practice to accuse any member of being a mouthpiece speaking on behalf of an outside - - -
Mr Humphries: On the point of order, Madam Speaker - - -
MADAM SPEAKER: Excuse me, Mr Humphries; I was just about to speak. I will take that on notice, Mr Connolly, and rule later.
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