Page 945 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 19 April 1994
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MR KAINE: Mr Berry, you clearly are operating from a position of self-interest. I cannot think of any other reason why you are putting forward this motion, unless you can explain it. You have had your chance and you did not explain it. I do not believe that it is an appropriate way to go. I think that we need to accept the fact that there are some conventions that have been established already in the short life of this body and we should stick with them unless there is good reason put forward for not doing so. I submit that no reason has been put forward for not doing so. It is a convention that I accept as a very legitimate and honourable one. There has been no suggestion that Mr Berry would not achieve the objective that he has set for himself - none whatsoever. In fact, I rather take exception to the implicit assertion in this motion that he does not trust the other members of the committee to do the right thing. I think that is an unwarranted implication and I take exception to it. For that reason I support Mr Moore's amendment to this motion.
MR CORNWELL (4.36): I paused a little before I stood. I would have thought that one of the Government members would have risen to defend their position, but I think they probably realise that it is untenable. It seems to me that there is a certain desperation in the motion that has been moved and that they do wish to ensure that there is no question that Mr Berry obtains the chairmanship. As a member of the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Committee, I demand my right to have a choice as to the chairman of that committee. I do not support the view that this Assembly should make that decision.
I think this whole debate is very petty and silly. It is wasting the time of the Assembly. A very silly and petty person and a very silly and petty party put forward this motion that led to this debate in the first place. I accept that there have been understandings in relation to chairmanships of committees and they have not been broken, as Mr Kaine quite rightly states. The conventions have been maintained.
I would not want to see a precedent created here in this case, because the situation could change at some time in the future. We still have a minority government. I would remind the ALP that you are a minority government in this Assembly. What would happen if the numbers were so close, perhaps eight all, with one Independent? If the Assembly was making these appointments to committees the Government could quite easily do a deal - or the Opposition, for that matter - and take all committee positions. I do not think that would be in the spirit of the Assembly. It is certainly not in the spirit of the very short history of this place since 1989. Therefore, I think we should adhere to the arrangements that we have put into place. Mr Berry, I am not terribly concerned about whether you are chairman of the PDI Committee or not. I suppose my concern really extends to the fact that you are on the committee at all.
MS ELLIS (4.39): Having listened very carefully to the debate, I think that if I quite happily say, as a member of the PDI Committee, that I am not a candidate for the chairmanship we might be able to resolve the matter right now. The outcome may be far more expedient than it appears it otherwise could be.
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