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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 10 Hansard (3 September) . . Page.. 2959 ..

MR SPEAKER: This is a personal explanation, Mr Berry.

MR BERRY: Indeed. Mr Speaker, I have drawn this matter to the attention of the media for good reason. I believe that the only way we can save those services on behalf of those constituents is to put pressure on the Government about the proposed service reductions. For this Government to climb to its feet - - -

Mr De Domenico: It was a fait accompli, according to you.

MR BERRY: I am glad to see that they are changing their mind.

Mr De Domenico: We have not changed anything, Mr Speaker.

MR BERRY: Mr De Domenico says that he has not changed his mind. Which is it? The second issue, Mr Speaker - - -

Mr Humphries: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. This is ranging way beyond a personal explanation. Mr Berry is debating the matter. Standing order 46 says that matters will not be debated. That is what he is doing.

MR SPEAKER: That is correct.

MR BERRY: And they are not being debated. Mr Speaker, the second issue upon which I was misrepresented was a - - -

MR SPEAKER: You are now making an explanation of a personal nature but not debating.

MR BERRY: Indeed. I take seriously my commitment to the public hospital system, and so do my constituents. I feel entitled at any time to criticise a government on behalf of my constituents if there - - -

Mrs Carnell: Mr Speaker, under standing order 46 this is not a personal explanation.

MR SPEAKER: We are drifting away. Leave your constituents out of it, Mr Berry. This is a personal explanation.

MR BERRY: Mrs Carnell made certain untrue claims about a press release that I - - -

MR SPEAKER: Order! That has to be withdrawn.

MR BERRY: I withdraw that if it would suit - - -

Mr Kaine: On a point of order, Mr Speaker: I believe that the member ought to be told to sit down. He has not made any personal explanation so far. He is misusing this Assembly and misusing the rules.

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