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

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 12 Hansard (19 November) . . Page.. 3759 ..

MR OSBORNE (4.23): I would have thought a motion of no confidence in a Minister, or anybody in the Government, warranted at least spirited debate, so I am quite disappointed to hear Mr Humphries say that it is not important. Nevertheless, we all know how slow he is in getting answers and answering questions and making appointments.

This motion from Ms Tucker is, I think, motivated more by frustration on her part than by any one incident. I suppose it is something that has built up over time, so I will not condemn her for at least bringing it onto the floor. I have to say, though, that many of the things we have discussed today, and much of what Mr Berry said, related to issues we dealt with in the past, issues over which we have already censured the Minister and for which she has been made accountable to the Assembly. I am a little disappointed about some of the things that have been brought up here today.

I am asked to go through this motion and either support it or not. The first point in Ms Tucker's motion states:

That this Assembly lacks confidence in the Minister for Health and Community Care by reason of her failure to adequately administer the health portfolio including:

(1) failure to give sufficient priority to people most disadvantaged in the community;

Perhaps it should read "failure to give sufficient priority to people who Ms Tucker thinks are the most disadvantaged in the community". They may well be the most disadvantaged in the community, but I do not think we can necessarily say that people suffering from mental health problems are the most disadvantaged. A number of families in my electorate who have three, four or five children and no money and are living in a two- or three-bedroom house with no heating I would consider to be very disadvantaged.

As I said, these people may well be the most disadvantaged; but, when we politicians attempt to channel all our thoughts into one particular area and do not look for balance, perhaps our vision sometimes gets clouded. I would argue that the Minister for Police has been lacking in attending to his portfolio because I do not think enough money is spent on police officers in the Territory. I would like to see another 100, if possible. I know that this motion was motivated by the fellow who walked around the Assembly tapping on the windows with a hammer. Perhaps I could move a no-confidence motion in Mr Humphries every time there was an armed hold-up or a burglary. The point I am trying to get to is that being here is about balance.

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