Page 3172 - Week 10 - Thursday, 16 September 1993
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Mr Berry: Oh, yes, there was; there was a big mistake.
MR HUMPHRIES: Madam Speaker, the point, though, is that the essence of this issue is contained in the heading of this motion and subparagraph 1(a). This is a motion about exercising freedom of speech, and that is the fundamental question - freedom of speech. Members of this place must be able, fearlessly and without favour, to exercise their freedom of speech. We do so under certain constraints, and those constraints are contained in the motion that Mr Moore has moved today. That motion is supported, and those constraints are supported. But I believe that Mr Moore's motion does not substantially change the environment in which these matters have been dealt with in the past; nor will it change the practice of this place in the future, because I believe that members have had regard to these questions when they have raised matters of this kind.
Madam Speaker, the assertion has been made across the chamber that the members of the Opposition were wrong to raise matters concerning Mr Charles Wright. I say categorically that they were not. It is my assertion that those matters were properly raised. I will not reflect on a vote of the Assembly; but I will say that I think the Assembly, in taking a decision concerning the censuring of two members over that matter, flew in the face of the spirit of this motion.
Mr Connolly: But you are not reflecting on it.
MR HUMPHRIES: I will not reflect on the Assembly.
Mr Berry: I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I would ask that Mr Humphries withdraw that. He is reflecting on a vote of the Assembly.
MR HUMPHRIES: I will not reflect on the Assembly, Madam Speaker.
MADAM SPEAKER: Are you withdrawing that, then?
MR HUMPHRIES: I will not reflect on the Assembly, Madam Speaker. I will say this: I do give - - -
Mr Berry: Madam Speaker, I ask that you order that Mr Humphries withdraw his reflection on the vote.
MADAM SPEAKER: You were reflecting on a vote of the Assembly, Mr Humphries. Please withdraw.
MR HUMPHRIES: Madam Speaker, I withdraw any reflection on the Assembly.
MADAM SPEAKER: And reword it. Thank you.
MR HUMPHRIES: I will say, Madam Speaker, that the Opposition intends to give notice that it will move for rescission of that censure motion because I believe that that motion set a precedent which is not in accordance with the spirit of the motion which is before the Assembly today.
Mr Moore: No, it did not. It did not set a precedent.
Mr Lamont: Who did?
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