Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

None . . Page.. 891 ..

Mr Moore: On a point of order, Mr Speaker: The implication in that is clearly inappropriate.

MR SPEAKER: Might I suggest that you withdraw it, Mr Berry.

MR BERRY: Nobody would ever suggest that there was an imputation against Mr Moore - somebody of such standing.

MR SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr Berry.

Mr De Domenico: Keep going, Wayne. You are getting him all on side!

MR BERRY: That is all right. Michael keeps inviting it. The issue for the right-thinking members of this Assembly is about how the community has been consulted. The community out there would think that consultation has passed it by; they have seen no consultation on this issue. I repeat what was said before: The Government's commitment to consultation is a big lie. It is the biggest lie that has been imposed upon the community in the ACT, because they have no commitment to it. What I find rather more disturbing is that others in this Assembly would let them get away with it.

Consultation has been the catchcry of many groups in our community, who would ask at all times for more of it. I do not think anybody in this chamber has ever said that they were not about full-on consultation. But the first ones ever to demonstrate that they have no inkling at all to pursue a path of genuine consultation have been the Liberals. They are now supported by a couple of Independents, who in the long haul, I think, will sicken over this issue. It is early days yet, and we can expect that the Liberals will try to spin the web about these sorts of issues. But for people who have some other ideology in this place, it is rather surprising that they are not capable of taking the Liberals to task about some of the rhetoric that has surrounded the introduction of this legislation. They say, “It will be more competitive”. When asked to prove it, they say, “We do not know”. They cannot prove it.

Mrs Carnell: Corporatise it and watch.

MR BERRY: Here we go - corporatise and watch. When we ask them to show us how it will be more competitive, they say, “We will corporatise it and you can watch. Just wait and see. We do not know”.

Mrs Carnell: We do know.

MR BERRY: You do? Tell us, please - or is it too big a secret to tell us? Have you told the Independents? Give us the same details. I suspect that you have told them what you have told us: “We do not know. Wait and see. It will be better in the long haul. This is about competition and efficiency and all of those things that by themselves guarantee a better life for all”. What a joke you lot are! I think this is buried in a mound of ideology; I know that it is. It is very obvious that it is, because none of the Liberals opposite have been capable of bringing forward an argument that would convince any reasonable thinking person.

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .