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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 7 Hansard (19 June) . . Page.. 1853 ..

MS FOLLETT (continuing):

As I say, we know that in this Assembly censure motions are dealt with swiftly. What we know also is that Mrs Carnell does not extend to members of the Opposition the courtesy of the briefings that they request when they request them. It is a matter of public record that Mr Berry requested briefing on this matter as soon as Mrs Carnell raised it in question time yesterday. That briefing has not been provided, although clearly the need for it was urgent. Quite clearly, we needed urgent information on just what these figures were and what Mr Berry was being accused of by Mrs Carnell. There is a question of natural justice here, if not of common courtesy. Those questions have remained unanswered by Mrs Carnell and, frankly, it is time that she put up her case and received the judgment of this Assembly on that case.

MR HUMPHRIES (Attorney-General) (10.43): Mr Speaker, there are several reasons why the Government does not support the suspension of standing orders.

Ms Follett: Because you do not have a case; that is why.

MR HUMPHRIES: Be patient, Ms Follett, and you will see that there is certainly a case - a stronger case for censure than has been made in this house for many a year. But there are several reasons why it was not the Government's intention to move this motion this morning. First of all, the Government was perfectly prepared last night to move a motion of censure of Mr Berry.

Mr Berry: Well, why did you not do it?

MR HUMPHRIES: Because Mr Berry asked the Assembly for time for a briefing, and for that reason - - -

Mr Berry: I never asked for time at all; I asked for a briefing.

MR HUMPHRIES: Yes, you did. He asked for a briefing. He said that he wanted a briefing before - - -

Ms Follett: Straightaway, before the close of business.

MR HUMPHRIES: I heard Ms Follett in silence, Mr Speaker. Perhaps I could be given the same courtesy.

MR SPEAKER: Order!

MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Berry asked for a briefing yesterday, and the Government decided that it would wait until Mr Berry had the chance for that briefing before it moved on that matter. It was similarly the intention of the Government to make available to those on the crossbenches briefings about this matter, because it is an arcane matter that relates to what one person said, what figures were released, how they were double-counted and so on, before - - -

Ms Follett: By Mrs Carnell.

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