Page 4425 - Week 14 - Thursday, 1 December 1994
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I will let you into a secret. You cannot use the recall, which is one of the three parts of citizens-initiated referenda, in a multimember electorate. It fits only when you have a single-member electorate. It would appear that no-one on this learned committee knew that. The committee was selected by this Assembly - not by the Liberal Party; not by me. We had a bit of an inkling that it was going to be a political farce and a political act of nonsense and would be working against democracy. Nevertheless, every group in this Assembly, except me, was represented on the committee. Its report says that there is concern that it will be used for the recall of politicians. What rubbish! This is kindergarten nonsense. Talk about drafting!
MADAM SPEAKER: Order! It being 45 minutes after the commencement of Assembly business, the debate is interrupted in accordance with standing order 77, as amended by temporary order, and the resumption of the debate is made an order of the day for the next sitting.
Motion (by Mr Stevenson) put:
That so much of the standing and temporary orders be suspended as would prevent Mr Stevenson from continuing his speech.
A vote having been called for and the bells being rung -
Mr Stevenson: You are not a touch embarrassed, are you?
MADAM SPEAKER: Would you please be seated, Mr Stevenson, whilst - - -
Mr Stevenson: Why, Madam Speaker? It is more comfortable here. Are you ready to go? What about Mr Moore?
MADAM SPEAKER: I have asked you to be seated.
Mr Stevenson: Why? Under what standing order?
MADAM SPEAKER: Be seated.
Mr Stevenson: Under what standing order?
MADAM SPEAKER: Standing order 38. I am standing.
Mr Stevenson: You are standing; that is fair enough. I agree with that.
MADAM SPEAKER: That also requires silence.
Mr Stevenson: The same one. Honestly, can you not understand why Canberrans did not want this in the first place?
MADAM SPEAKER: Order!
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