Page 1391 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 12 May 1993
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Stevenson, you are not permitted to impute improper motives to people. Would you withdraw your imputation that the Chief Minister misled the Assembly.
MR STEVENSON: Indeed, if I am not allowed to impugn those motives. She said that I was disingenuous. When you look at the dictionary it means "lacking in frankness; insincere; covertly guileful; who really do not believe the opinion they defend". I have just shown that what she said was not true. The proof of it lies in Hansard. People like Mr Moore can make claim after claim in this house that is totally unsubstantiated, and would be in a court of law, but he does not have the guts to do it outside. He is a little man, indeed. I consider that Rosemary Follett is as bogus a Chief Minister as the idea that this Assembly is democratic. This is the person who said that taxes would not rise after self-government. This is the person who voted against the right of Canberrans to have 60 days to look at legislation that passes through this house. This is the person who is prompting - - -
Mr Moore: I take a point of order, Madam Speaker. I refer to standing order 52. I believe that Mr Stevenson was reflecting upon a vote of the Assembly. I think that is entirely inappropriate.
MR STEVENSON: Nonsense! I was making a comment. This is the - - -
MADAM SPEAKER: Just a minute. Let me think about this.
MR STEVENSON: It is just a waste of time.
MADAM SPEAKER: Just take it easy, Mr Stevenson. I believe that you understand the provisions of that standing order, Mr Stevenson. I think you are wavering in that direction. Just keep it in mind, please, and do not shout.
MR STEVENSON: I thought it was a factual statement that Rosemary Follett voted with the other 15 people against my motion to grant Canberrans the right to have a minimum of 60 days to hear of matters that are tabled in this parliament.
Mr Moore: I take a point of order, Madam Speaker. The point of order I just raised was under standing order 52, which reads:
A Member may not reflect upon any vote of the Assembly, except upon a motion that such vote be rescinded.
Mr Stevenson is not moving that that motion be rescinded; he is reflecting on the vote. I think that is entirely inappropriate and that he ought to pay attention to the standing orders.
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Stevenson, as I have said, I think you are wavering to the point of reflecting rather than just making an accurate statement. If you stay on the side of making an accurate statement I will leave you be. Please proceed.
MR STEVENSON: The accurate statement is that Rosemary Follett, along with 15 other people in this Assembly, voted to not allow the citizens of Canberra 60 days minimum time for laws that are tabled in this parliament. It remains a fact, and it will always be a fact; but I will certainly give them another chance to change their mind.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .