Page 2003 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 15 June 1994
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For all those reasons, Madam Speaker, this Government cannot sit back on its laurels now and expect us on this side of the house to believe that, just because the new Minister, over a weekend, has sacked three or four people and appointed four others, everything is hunky-dory. I look forward to all of Professor Pearce's recommendations being undertaken by this Government. I have to say one thing, and I will say it over and over again: This Opposition, and I dare say the Independents also, will make sure that proper accountability happens in this place, notwithstanding what portfolio responsibility we are looking at. It is essential that members of this place have proper accountability. When Ministers come into this place and try to convince people that by changing Acts of parliament they are giving us in this place more accountability, let it be on their heads to prove that that is correct. No, it is the Government that needs the responsibility placed upon it for what has happened here with VITAB. It has not been a political stunt. It has never been a political stunt. The ACT Opposition have done their homework. It is a pity that the Government did not do theirs.
MR STEVENSON (4.36): Madam Speaker, I had not seen the report prior to today, so I will not speak at any length. There are three points that are worthwhile making. First, was the arrangement sound; secondly, who was responsible; and, thirdly, did Mr Berry mislead the Assembly? First, was the deal sound? Was it a good deal to get involved in? I do not think anybody would maintain that it was. It has been fully acknowledged that it was not a good deal, for any number of reasons. Thirdly, did Mr Berry mislead the house? It should be acknowledged - - -
Mr Connolly: I take a point of order, Madam Speaker. This really is canvassing a previous resolution in this house.
MADAM SPEAKER: That is correct. It is quite beyond Professor Pearce's report, Mr Stevenson. Would you talk about the report.
MR STEVENSON: Madam Speaker, the report mentions that point. We heard the Chief Minister say:
I had always expected that a dispassionate and apolitical examination of the VITAB issue would find that no fault lay with the Minister.
MADAM SPEAKER: Yes, but the Assembly decided that Mr Berry did mislead the house. Whether he did or did not is not open to question again. Would you talk about the substance of the report.
MR STEVENSON: I presume that, if anybody in the Assembly says that Mr Berry did not, that would be out of order?
Mr De Domenico: That is right, because the Assembly said that he did.
MR STEVENSON: Fine. I will make the point - - -
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Stevenson, just go on with your speech.
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