Page 375 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 2 March 1994
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Mr Cornwell: That is the very point I am making, Ms Ellis. Madam Speaker, you have ruled previously that if the word "hypocrisy" is directed at an individual it must be withdrawn; however, if it is used against a group of people, it does not have to be withdrawn. I submit that the same ruling should apply in this case, because Mr De Domenico did not mention anybody by name; he did not mention even the Labor Party by name in his comments.
MADAM SPEAKER: In Mr De Domenico's comments there was a clear imputation against a member. Mr De Domenico has withdrawn that imputation against a member. We will continue.
Mr Connolly: Has he withdrawn the imputation, "At least he goes in the front door, not the back door", which was clearly directed at me? That statement, which purportedly has been withdrawn, is a statement which again I would be very happy for him to have the guts to make outside.
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Connolly, it is my clear understanding, and it is now on record, that Mr De Domenico has made a total withdrawal. Continue, Mr Humphries.
MR HUMPHRIES: I must say, Madam Speaker, that it is quite extraordinary how members opposite get very sensitive about questions of prostitution and brothels when in fact - - -
Mr Connolly: Madam Speaker, they are doing it again. This is the real "When did you stop beating your spouse?" type of grubbiness. They are saying, "Members opposite are sensitive about allegations of visiting brothels", which is designed to get some sort of story running about a bit of grubbiness, a bit of sleaze, a bit of scum. You set the standards in this chamber, Madam Speaker. It is your choice whether we set the standards at the sort of grubbiness that those members opposite are trying to introduce or whether we have a rather higher standard. You can request members to get away from this grubby sort of personal stuff.
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Humphries, please continue to speak about the matter in hand, with no further reference to members on the opposite side.
MR HUMPHRIES: Madam Speaker, with respect, the comments I am making about members opposite are extremely relevant to this debate. The comment I am making is very simply that there is considerable hypocrisy about the chamber when it comes to legislation which deals with discriminating against people on the basis of occupational calling - for example, prostitution.
Mr Connolly: That is fine, as long as you do not have these grubby suggestions about visiting brothels.
MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Connolly is interjecting about people using the terms "prostitution" and "brothels" or associations of that kind. The point I make is that members opposite have been extremely carefree about their associations in those terms before. They have been very quick to tar Mrs Carnell with being connected with a brothel. That was not grubby; that was all right!
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