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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 13 Hansard (4 December) . . Page.. 4369 ..

MR HUMPHRIES (Attorney-General): Mr Speaker, can I make an explanation under standing order 46?

MR SPEAKER: Yes, certainly, if it will assist on the matter before the Chair.

MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Speaker, I do not propose to be precious about the words Mr Osborne uses; but I do think it is worth just putting on the record something about being trusted. Of course, making a regulation about trading hours is not a question of trusting anybody in the Government. Regulations must be put - - -

Mr Berry: Mr Speaker, I raise a point of order.

MR SPEAKER: Just a moment. I will hear that in a moment.

Mr Berry: Pursuant to the standing order, I can rise at any time to raise a point of order, Mr Speaker.

Mr De Domenico: What, during a personal explanation as well?

Mr Berry: Indeed. Mr Speaker, Mr Humphries is clearly debating the issue, and that is not permitted.

MR SPEAKER: No, he is not debating the issue. There is no point of order.

MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Speaker, it has been suggested that I cannot be trusted. I want to explain that that is not a fair imputation on me, or on Mr De Domenico for that matter.

MR SPEAKER: Mr Osborne, I have listened to Mr Humphries and Mr De Domenico - - -

MR HUMPHRIES: I have not actually finished my personal explanation, Mr Speaker. I think it is worth noting, in terms of whether we are trusted or not, that the regulations must be laid before the Assembly. If I, Mr De Domenico or anyone else makes a regulation which is not viewed as satisfactory by the Assembly, Mr Osborne or anyone else has the power to disallow it. It is not a question of trust at all; it is a question of using the processes already there in the Assembly to deal with problems that arise under regulations.

MR SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr Humphries. Mr Osborne, I think we will let time judge whether you are right or not, in view of Mr Humphries's explanation. You may continue your comments. You still have time.

Mr Wood: You should have told the Chief Minister to butt out of it; it is as simple as that.

MR SPEAKER: One section was withdrawn, Mr Wood. Proceed, Mr Osborne.

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