Page 2963 - Week 11 - Thursday, 22 October 1992
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The reason for that, as explained to members, is that the great efficiencies that this Bill will bring, which were referred to by everyone, will mean real savings to the police budget. Given that it may otherwise have been four or five weeks before we could deal with the matter, that could well translate to something in the order of $50,000 or $60,000. That is a substantial benefit. I do appreciate that very much. Members of the Opposition could quite reasonably have said, "No, you did not get this on during time; it is half past five and we are going home", knowing that that would add an additional burden to the budget and they could come back and beat me about the head for failing to achieve budget targets next year. I thank the Opposition and Independent members for their very sensible approach to this.
I would also have to say to Mr Stevenson that I think that ancient dictionary of his is probably the reason why we have some confusion on the literal use of language in other Bills. Looking at the good old Pocket Macquarie, "person" is defined as a human being, whether man, woman or child; "he" is defined as the male being in question or last mentioned. Madam Speaker, I would recommend that Mr Stevenson get this. As this was only a $2 thing at a throw-out table, I will, in fact, present him with my Pocket Macquarie in place of his own dictionary. I thank members for their support for the Bill.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Bill agreed to in principle.
Leave granted to dispense with the detail stage.
Bill agreed to.
COOK AND LYONS PRIMARY SCHOOLS
Ministerial Statement
MR WOOD (Minister for Education and Training, Minister for the Arts and Minister for the Environment, Land and Planning), by leave: Madam Speaker, as always, it is my intention and my habit to keep the Assembly well informed. I said earlier that the department was assiduously looking through records to locate any relevant information on the matter of the Cook and Lyons primary schools reopening that we debated earlier. With reference to the advice Dr Willmot gave me about the Chief Minister's answer to the question of 21 June, I have some further advice which supports the statement that the Chief Minister, Mr Connolly and I made in that earlier debate.
The department has not been able at this time to remind me of any formal advice from Dr Willmot to me, because they cannot find it. I have said a number of times that Dr Willmot did raise the matter with me and persisted with his view. I can now see the reasons behind it. He did not lightly concede his views. I say again that I listened carefully and no doubt noted whatever material he provided me with, but I say again that I did not agree with his view of the Chief Minister's response.
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