Page 4484 - Week 14 - Thursday, 1 December 1994
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action that has been taken. They are not saying suddenly, out of the blue, "Yes, of course we support medicinal use of cannabis. We just happen to put it out now because that is a convenient time to put it out". The Minister, being aware of this, came into this Assembly and said, "The AIDS Action Council does not support your legislation".
I have conceded, Madam Speaker. I moved a motion of no confidence in Mr Connolly and, to the extent to which that has caused him a great deal of discomfort, I do what I said I would do, which is to apologise. For that I apologise. But it is important still, Madam Speaker, to keep this in perspective. The clear perspective is that this Minister gave this house the impression that the AIDS Action Council did not support what happened in this house yesterday, and clearly, Madam Speaker, they do.
Madam Speaker, Mr Kaine has raised the issue of why I have done this and why I have backed off. I said in the initial part of my speech that I thought it appropriate to bring this matter to a head today rather than have it hang over the weekend as to whether there would be a no-confidence motion in Mr Connolly or not, which would have damaged Mr Connolly severely. That, indeed, would have been a worse case scenario. Madam Speaker, I did not have in front of me the actual words that were used. I accept that Mr Lamont's people monitor these things carefully. Madam Speaker, I have even heard of people who tape things, although we know that they ought not, and who have the opportunity to replay them. To take a step in this case which would result in the Minister losing his portfolios is a most serious matter and, Madam Speaker, for that I have apologised. I have apologised quite clearly. Madam Speaker, I can remember one other occasion in this house when I made a mistake - it had to do with Mr Collaery - and I went out immediately and said that that was a mistake. I do not mind when it is necessary for me to make an apology.
Nevertheless, a serious matter still exists. A Minister has given an impression when he knows something else to be true. We have a difference, I know that. We have a problem with the interpretation of language. You may interpret one way and I may interpret the other. That is why, Madam Speaker, I have moved the amendment. Even today in his speech, Madam Speaker - I realise that this was in the heat of debate and under pressure; I think it has to be put in that context - Mr Connolly said, "I have depended on this legal advice". He had it in his hand. But the legal advice was dated today. Madam Speaker, all members have to be careful, but Ministers have to be particularly careful to ensure that what they are saying is accurate.
Mr Connolly: And I spoke to my legal advisers yesterday. They advised me and they furnished me a written advice today.
MR MOORE: Mr Connolly now interjects that he spoke to his legal advisers yesterday and that they furnished him with the written evidence today. We know that Mr Connolly went out of this chamber and was immediately doing interviews, immediately putting out comments, before he had that level of legal advice. Madam Speaker, it is a serious matter. I believe that the impression created by this Minister is still entirely inappropriate and it deserves from this house a message saying, "We do not accept this from Ministers"; not a message of such import as Mr Berry knows the result of, but a message that is very clear. That is why I think this house ought to censure the Minister in as far as he has misled this house.
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