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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1995 Week 10 Hansard (7 December) . . Page.. 2805 ..

MR BERRY: I thought that Mr Kaine was looking for a ministry; but it is obvious that he wants to be Speaker, because he is able to give you a bit of advice. Will you tell him that the job is not available?

MR SPEAKER: If you keep this up you will be looking for an early mark this afternoon.

MR BERRY: Tell him that the job is not available. Mr Speaker, let us - - -

Mr Moore: I take a point of order. Mr Speaker, I think the standing order that is critical here is 117(b)(iv), which refers to imputations. The question here is more about imputations. I do not know the person at all, nor do I know him by reputation; but it seems to me that, whereas the Minister talked about somebody in a job he was doing, there was an imputation in the way that Mr Berry presented the matter. I think that is the critical point as to whether the question is out of order or not.

MR SPEAKER: I will have to listen to that, Mr Moore. Frankly, to date, Mr Berry has not asked his question, and I would like him to do so.

MR BERRY: Thank you, Mr Speaker. It is about members in this place. The expert on standing orders might want your job as well. Mr Speaker, the Government has decided, in turn, to threaten its employees with lockouts.

Mr De Domenico: What is the question and to whom is it addressed?

MR BERRY: The question is to Mr De Domenico. You can deny that you have threatened - - -

MR SPEAKER: Just ask the question.

MR BERRY: Will the Minister now rule out the use of scab labour to do the work of those they might lock out?

MR DE DOMENICO: Mr Speaker, I am quite happy to take on that question from Mr Berry. I will say this, Mr Berry: This Government will not weaken at the knees with a gun held to its head, Mr Berry, because this - - -

Mr Connolly: Rambo Tony.

MR DE DOMENICO: It is not a matter of being Rambo Tony, Mr Connolly. Had the Trades and Labour Council been a little bit more intelligent than they were, they would not have filed under section 170 of the Federal Industrial Relations Act. That means, Mr Speaker, that the Government's hands are now tied. The only alternative left to the Government is to consider lockouts. That has been conveyed to the unions. It is the only option available under the law, Mr Speaker. This Government will always abide by the law. Notwithstanding what Mr Berry might think from time to time, we will abide by the law. If that means lockouts, so be it.

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