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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 12 Hansard (19 November) . . Page.. 3740 ..

MS HORODNY (3.35): Is the answer, "I do not know."?

Mr Humphries: I said to you that I was going to take it on notice.

MS HORODNY: You are taking on notice the question as to why it was not answered?

MR Humphries: Why it was late, yes.

MS HORODNY: I move:

That the Assembly takes note of the paltry explanation.

I would like to hear an answer to the question that I asked. You are saying that you are going to take the question on notice, and I am moving that the explanation be noted.

MR SPEAKER: Mr Humphries, perhaps I could assist by simply asking whether you think it would be possible to find out by the close of business today.

MR HUMPHRIES (Attorney-General and Minister for the Environment, Land and Planning) (3.37): I could probably try to find out why, Mr Speaker, but I am not quite sure whether it needs the motion that Ms Horodny has just moved in the chamber. I have provided an answer to her question by saying, "I do not know". I have asked to be informed, before I come down to this place, of questions which are outstanding and which breach standing order 118A. I thought there were no such matters outstanding against that standing order, because I had had no advice. There are none on the notice paper that have not been answered, apart from possibly one; so I did not arm myself with any reasons as to why this answer was late. I was not aware that a standing order operated to require me to explain answers that had already been given in this place. I accept your ruling that that is the case, Mr Speaker, but I cannot answer the question. Ms Horodny has moved a motion to debate this matter. Quite frankly, I do not know that we can debate the matter. I do not know the reason for it.

Mr Moore: That is what you are doing now.

MR HUMPHRIES: I do not know how I can advance the debate by saying any more than I have just said. I do not know why the question was not answered. As I said, I will take the matter on notice and I will find out. Until I have the reasons, I am afraid I cannot enlighten you, Ms Horodny, or the Assembly.

MR MOORE (3.38): It is rather opportune to rise, now that Ms Horodny has moved this motion that the Assembly take note of the explanation. Mr Humphries has been caught on the hop for the second time this question time. The first time was when I asked him why he had not answered a question from me. Ms Horodny had to wait only 54 days. I wrote on 13 February, 15 April, 21 May, 1 August, 12 September and 24 October. In answer to my question he said that he treats constituents differently from the way he treats me. I accept that Mr Humphries said that tongue in cheek and I expect a better response, but it exposes Mr Humphries's inadequacy in providing answers.

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