Page 1343 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 12 May 1993
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when the flag was mooted, but in that consultation did the people of Canberra find out what was happening? Were they told that the crown was to be removed and that the scroll that had the words "For the Queen, the law and the people" was going to be removed? No, they were not. The Chief Minister knew full well but inadvertently omitted to mention it in any of the debates on the flag and in any of her talks to the media.
I moved a change to standing orders that would allow legislation to lie on the table here for at least 60 days so that the people of Canberra would have an opportunity to find out about it. What was the vote on that? It was 16 to one. It was suggested that there might be important administrative matters or urgent matters that had to be put through quickly. I would have thought a simple amendment - indeed, the one I proposed - would have well covered that. So do we get self-government in Canberra?
Ms Follett: On a point of order: Madam Speaker, Mr Stevenson is well into his time for this motion of his and he has yet to mention a city council or a lord mayor. I would ask you to draw his attention to relevance. I have no doubt whatsoever that he is going to ask for an extension of time in order to get to those points, which I rather resent.
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Stevenson, I would like you to heed that point of order, please, and continue.
MR STEVENSON: Madam Speaker, I reject entirely the suggestion that I am not speaking to whether or not the State-like - - -
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Stevenson, we are not arguing about it. I am simply asking you to keep it in mind and continue. If you choose not to continue, I will find another speaker.
MR STEVENSON: They also banned circuses, against the will of the people. What about fluoridation? Eighty-eight per cent of the submissions received at the fluoride inquiry were in opposition to fluoride. They were not even reported. So much for the committee system that we hear so much about. What happened recently when I called and when the people called for a referendum on fluoride just to give them a chance - not to say no, but to give them a chance? What did Mr Berry say? He said, "There will be no referendum". We do not have self-government here. He did not say that; I added it. We do not have self-government in Canberra. This is a bogus self-government. We have a State-like parliament that was forced upon the people, and the people have not benefited. They have had nothing but problems from it, in the main.
Let us look at the constitutional matters. I briefly cover these. They need more time. In 1909 the people of New South Wales made a contract with the Commonwealth to surrender land to be used for the national capital, the seat of government. The Australian Constitution clearly gives the exclusive responsibility for the peace, order and good government of the national capital to the Commonwealth Parliament. Section 125 states:
The seat of government of the Commonwealth ... shall be vested in and belong to the Commonwealth, and shall be in the State of New South Wales ...
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