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MR SPEAKER: Relevance, Mr Berry.

MR BERRY: It could be relevant even to you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Connolly: Optimism, Mr Speaker.

MR BERRY: I would agree that that is optimism.

So, we do have a situation where there is a rort at work in this Assembly on its first day. I think that again puts the whole place in a dreadful light. Mr Moore has admitted by his own motion that he wishes to strike out the effect of the standing orders to ensure equal representation on these committees. I think this Assembly is bound to ensure that these sorts of rorts - or apparent rorts, if you listen to Mr Moore - do not occur. I would urge members to support the Labor Opposition in relation to that. I will draw to members' attention an amendment which I have circulated.

Mr Moore: Are you going to move it?

MR BERRY: I will move it in due course.

MR WOOD (3.48): Mr Speaker, in the speeches that marked the closing of the Second Assembly, or towards the end of its time, every member in this Assembly acknowledged the work of the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Committee. I think its 200th meeting was acknowledged. It was said by all that that committee was by far the hardest working committee in the Assembly. Beyond any doubt, it had more work than any other committee, and perhaps more than all the other committees put together.

Mr Moore: No, that is not true. That is an incredible exaggeration.

MR WOOD: Come on, Mr Moore; you nodded your head at that time. After that, the busiest committee was probably the Conservation, Heritage and Environment Committee. It was also very active. What has happened now? The busiest committee and another very busy committee have been joined into one. That is the deal that Mr Moore made with the Liberals. That was the price of supporting Kate Carnell for Chief Minister. There is simply no question about that.

Mr Moore wants to talk about equity and fairness, to use his words. Let us look further at the range of work of that committee. Someone across there - Mr Humphries, I think - made a point about my involvement and interest in committees. I have been a most enthusiastic supporter of them and have worked very hard on them. The list of matters to be dealt with by the new Planning and Environment Committee is enormous. The committee simply could not cover all that work.

Mr Moore: You did, as Minister - one person.

MR WOOD: Let us look at the lists for some of the other committees.

Mr Moore: You covered all those issues, and education.

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