Page 1579 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 19 May 1993
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exposed in a political fashion to a debate on that, and possibly also to censure on that. I think the last part of Mr Humphries's motion quite clearly indicates that that is his intention. I reiterate that I do not believe that this motion is necessary. We have, at present, 13 questions which are more than a month old out of a total of 74. I think that is a very good record. I do not believe that the reality that we have in this Assembly in any way supports the kind of action that Mr Humphries's motion envisages.
MR MOORE (11.16): It seems to me, Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, that the worries that are presented by the Chief Minister are not really confirmed in a close reading of the proposals. It seems to me that where a question like Mr Kaine's has been asked an explanation can be provided as to why you are not provided with an answer within 30 days. It puts a discipline on the system. I must say, Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, that I have found, particularly recently, that the questions that I have put on the notice paper have been answered particularly promptly, much more so, I must say, than they were under the Alliance Government. That is something that I have appreciated.
We are doing a general review of standing orders, Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, and I think that one of the reasons why we ought to support this motion at the moment is to give us a very short while to test the system, to look at it and to consider it as part of the overall review of standing orders. I am not sure that 30 days is the exact time, and that is why I would be comfortable with that review. For the time being I think it is appropriate that we support this motion. I am going to support the motion with that in mind; that we are going through that process of review in the committee that is chaired by the Speaker. From what we hear from the Ministers, they are already doing it, so it will not be a big problem. If there is a problem with a particular question, then I think that most members are perfectly reasonable in accepting an explanation. We understand it.
Mr Berry: Okay, you and us, Michael.
MR MOORE: Mr Berry knows that, whenever he explains anything to me, I am perfectly reasonable. I listen very carefully and understand it. I hope that that reasonable approach will continue. Even if an individual member is not reasonable, the Minister will have the opportunity to explain in the Assembly and the Assembly can decide whether that is reasonable or not.
MR KAINE (11.19): Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, I think that the Chief Minister is seeing phantoms behind every bush on this motion. If we were doing this, they would be saying that we were seeing reds under every bed.
MADAM TEMPORARY DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mrs Grassby): Mr Kaine, just a moment. You have spoken already. You need leave to speak.
MR KAINE: I thought somebody might pick that up. I seek leave to speak again to this subject.
Leave granted.
MADAM TEMPORARY DEPUTY SPEAKER: You may go ahead, Mr Kaine. You have your full 10 minutes now.
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