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

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 8 Hansard (25 June) . . Page.. 2092 ..

MR BERRY: Mr Speaker, I have explained the reason why I wish to discharge the Trading Hours Bill. It is self-evident why one would have to suspend the standing orders, because members opposite refused me leave to do it by leave. It is hardly something that warrants a five-minute debate.

MR SPEAKER: No, it does not.

MR BERRY: Mr Speaker, in the course of debate about this issue one is entitled - dare I challenge your view for a brief moment - to talk about the issue which will be the subject of a motion following a successful suspension of standing orders. At this point I would like to draw the attention of my Green colleagues in this place to the issue which is at large. We have a situation here where a democratically elected organisation is entitled, in a Westminster-style government, to question Ministers responsible for individual pieces of legislation.

Mr Kaine: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I believe this matter has nothing to do with the suspension of standing orders, and I suggest that you call the member to order.

MR SPEAKER: Thank you. I uphold the point of order. Mr Berry, you have made the case. You have explained it.

MR BERRY: May I have the opportunity, Mr Speaker, to speak to the point of order?

MR SPEAKER: You may speak to the point of order if you so wish.

MR BERRY: Thank you. Mr Speaker, I am in the process now of trying to convince my colleagues on the crossbenches to vote for the motion to suspend standing orders. Some of them need convincing.

MR SPEAKER: Order! Mr Berry, sit down. You have made the point, Mr Berry. Resume your seat.

Mr Osborne: A very good point, too.

MR SPEAKER: Yes, it may very well be, but he has made the point. We are not, in fact, debating the issue of the suspension of standing orders; we are now debating the substantive motion. I would ask you, therefore, to resume your seat, Mr Berry, if you are going to continue in that vein.

MR BERRY: Mr Speaker, it is extremely important and in the interests of Westminster-style government that this Ministry opposite subject itself to proper questioning by members of this Assembly. We are prevented from doing so if the Minister responsible for this piece of legislation will not respond to questions.

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