Page 3086 - Week 12 - Tuesday, 17 November 1992
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MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Kaine, the imputation was that it was Mr Lamont.
Mr Kaine: Madam Speaker, if Mr Lamont did not deliver it to the Canberra Times, all he has to do is say so and the matter will be resolved. There was no allegation, or anything else; it was a straight question.
Mr Connolly: I take a point of order, Madam Speaker. It was an outrageous allegation against a person. It should be dealt with by a withdrawal, not a denial. It is the "When did one stop beating one's spouse?" type of question.
Mr Kaine: Here we go again. Mr Kaine has to withdraw. Mr Connolly can get away with murder. I withdraw, Madam Speaker; but I note the difference in the attitude of the Minister when he is under attack and when I am under attack. I am required to withdraw; he is not.
MR LAMONT: Thank you, Madam Speaker. What I am suggesting, Madam Speaker, is something which I am confident that the chair of the committee knew nothing about. I am confident of that fact and I visit no imputation upon the chair of the Estimates Committee.
Mr De Domenico: Well, whom do you blame, then?
MR LAMONT: This is interesting, because the only people who had copies of this are in this room.
Mr Kaine: Whom are you accusing, Mr Lamont?
MR LAMONT: I am asking. I am simply asking. How would the Canberra Times - - -
Mr De Domenico: Put the money where the mouth is.
MADAM SPEAKER: Order!
Mr Kaine: Madam Speaker, Mr Lamont clearly is suggesting that some member other than himself leaked it to the Canberra Times. I was required to withdraw that imputation before. I require that he withdraw it now.
MR LAMONT: Madam Speaker, I unreservedly withdraw that, and I do so for a very simple reason. I unreservedly withdraw the allegation that somebody in this house leaked this document.
Mrs Grassby: How did they get it, then?
MR LAMONT: That is a question that needs to be answered. It may be something that the chair of the committee may take on board and may consider raising as part of another process. I am sure that the Assembly would give consideration to any suggestion that the chair of the committee may come up with to enable us to get to the bottom of this. I believe, Mr Kaine, that you would be as concerned as I am - and you obviously are - that a confidential second draft of the report found its way to the Canberra Times.
Mr Kaine: It is a bit like what happens on the fifth floor, isn't it?
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