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

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 14 Hansard (12 December) . . Page.. 4793 ..

MR HUMPHRIES (Attorney-General and Minister for Police and Emergency Services) (11.27): Just briefly, can I refer to a matter Mr Berry raised? The Government does give a commitment that, if the committee, having inquired into the matter, recommends that the process is inappropriate and should be either scrapped wholesale or modified significantly and the Assembly shares that view of the committee, the Government will implement that change.

Mr Moore is creating a myth by suggesting that either we do not have inquiries into things that have already happened - we do, all the time, Mr Moore, and you know that very well - or we cannot change things that have already happened. With great respect, I suggest the Assembly is a master at changing things that have already happened. I think we need to be able to accept that that is possible and, in some cases, appropriate. But let me make it clear that you are talking about having to change something that has already happened. You are doing that if you pass the motion in its present form, because the process has already started. You cannot pretend that this is a motion about no change; it is not. There is no status quo motion anymore in that sense.

The process is already starting to happen and it would have to be wound back. Significant work on this proposal is already being done in a number of quarters. I urge members to consider that these changes will be difficult to manage but that there will be a process of complying with the Assembly's wishes with respect to whatever the changes might be.

MR OSBORNE (11.29): I am glad, Mr Speaker, that there are members of the emergency service here to see the huge backflip from the Labor Party on this issue.

MR SPEAKER: Mr Osborne, if you wish to speak again, ask for leave. I am sure it will be granted.

MR OSBORNE: I seek leave, Mr Speaker.

Leave granted.

MR OSBORNE: I am pleased that there are members here to see the disgraceful backflip from the Labor Party. Maybe it was when I started mentioning fire brigades that one member of the Labor Party got his back up a little; maybe not. Nevertheless, I am glad that they are here to see it.

Quite frankly, this is going to be a toothless inquiry. I still believe we should go through the process, though, because, if some of these allegations are proven to be correct, then certainly we will change things. Nevertheless, I am very disappointed in the attitude of the Labor Party on this. I find it quite interesting that Mr Berry stands up and says, "If they have done it, let them do it and we will change it later". Going back over the last 18 months, I remember Mr Berry on many occasions saying, "Do not let them do it. Do not trust them. Do not trust them, Ossie. They will burn you". I am very pleased that there are people here to see the backflip, especially by you, Mr Berry. I am very disappointed - - -

MR SPEAKER: Address your remarks through the Chair, Mr Osborne.

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