Page 843 - Week 03 - Thursday, 14 April 1994
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Mrs Carnell: Just have a look. Who is at the back?
Mr De Domenico: Where? Have a look. Have a look at the front bench.
MADAM SPEAKER: Order! Please allow the Chief Minister to finish.
MS FOLLETT: Madam Speaker, when members opposite look across to the Government's benches they will see that precisely half of our members are women. That boast cannot be made by any other party, any other group, in this Assembly, and it could never have been made by the Liberal Party. Madam Speaker, if Mrs Carnell knew anything whatsoever about the Labor Party's policies, which she does not, she would know that affirmative action does not apply in single positions. She obviously did not read on. She did not bother about that. Also, women have to nominate for positions. Just bear those two facts in mind. Madam Speaker, on this side of the house we have a team of people who are committed to a common purpose. The equal representation of women is very much a part of that purpose. You only have to look at our record in government to recognise that that is the case.
I know that Mrs Carnell is trying desperately to win some points out of her recent activity. She has failed completely so far, in my view - failed miserably - and is looking more and more churlish by the hour, as time passes. This is a stupid question. I think that the decision made by our caucus was a good one. It was one which we will all accept fully. We will work together as a team, as we always have, recognising that we have within our caucus people with different strengths. We have a pool of talent to draw upon, which is something that the Liberals most certainly could not boast. We provided the first female leader of any government at this level and we provided a woman as Speaker. The achievements of Labor in terms of affirmative action are second to none. I know that that makes Mrs Carnell cringe, but it is a fact; and it is a fact she is going to have to live with for a long time yet.
MRS CARNELL: I ask a supplementary question, Madam Speaker. Is it not true that the basis of your appointment was factional politics, which always comes above merit, of course, as Mr Connolly would know, rather than gender equity in your party?
MS FOLLETT: Madam Speaker, I am looking across the room at the fifth Liberal leader in five years.
Members interjected.
MADAM SPEAKER: Order! The Chief Minister has the floor. Let us have some order.
MS FOLLETT: I decline to answer the question, given that they would rather answer it themselves.
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