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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1995 Week 9 Hansard (23 November) . . Page.. 2546 ..

Mr Moore: Mr Speaker, I believe that it is appropriate to bring the censure motion back on now. I believe that I adjourned the debate.

Motion (by Mr Berry) agreed to, with the concurrence of an absolute majority:

That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent the order of the day, private members business, relating to the censure motion being called on forthwith.

Debate resumed.

MR MOORE (4.04 am): Mr Speaker, we may need to be reminded of the motion that Ms Follett moved. She moved:

That this Assembly censures the Treasurer for:

(1) her continued defiance of the will of the majority of the Assembly by failing to act upon the unanimous recommendations of the Estimates Committee; and

(2) the failure of the Government to live up to its promise of open and consultative government in the preparation of the 1995-96 Budget.

Mr Osborne, speaking just before I adjourned the debate, said to the Labor Party, "We will see how you go at supporting the amendments that we are putting up, before we consider this motion". Mr Speaker, my intention at that stage was not to support the censure motion unless Labor supported the amendments to the budget. However, having listened to the arguments put by the Government, particularly once I had raised the issue of a $4.7m cut that I found in a Government paper - I know that you used other words for that - - -

Mr Whitecross: "Maintained in real terms".

MR MOORE: "Maintained in real terms" now equals "cut". Considering what was put there, I think it is entirely appropriate that the Treasurer be censured for her defiance of the will of the majority of the Assembly and for her failure to consult. As far as I am concerned, the Government failed to undertake appropriate consultation. It is not enough to say, "Yes, I have listened. Now, tough". That is not what consultation is about. It is about a bit of give and take. I believe that in the end it was all take and no give. Therefore, it is appropriate that the Treasurer be censured.

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