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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 14 Hansard (12 December) . . Page.. 4847 ..

MR HUMPHRIES (Attorney-General and Minister for the Environment, Land and Planning) (4.55), in reply: Mr Speaker, my position is that it is appropriate to ask for assistance in these circumstances. It has always been the case that complex Bills have been occasions for Ministers to seek the assistance of officers, particularly one when there are about 70 or 80 amendments and very complex matters before the chamber. I was not involved in any refusal of leave to Mr Moore, and I have indicated my position already to Mr Moore. I know that in the past I was given the courtesy of having assistance when I was in opposition, during the debate on the Electoral Bill. So, Mr Speaker, I think it is a little churlish of Mr Moore to blame me for what he sees as somebody else's failing to grant him permission to have someone on the floor.

Mr Moore: I rise on a point of order, Mr Speaker, under standing order 46 or 47 - one of those. Let me clarify the matter. I did not indicate any problems with Mr Humphries. In fact, I made it quite clear that I understand that Mr Humphries supported my request. If this suspension of standing orders passes, I hope that his motion will take the form of making the assistance available to all members who wish to have it.

Question resolved in the affirmative, with the concurrence of an absolute majority.

Motion

MR HUMPHRIES (Attorney-General and Minister for the Environment, Land and Planning) (4.57): I move:

That members of the Government Service be permitted for the duration of this debate to sit on the floor of the Assembly.

Ms Tucker: And for the crossbenches.

MR HUMPHRIES: If you want to move that motion, I will support it. I have just been granted leave to move a motion in relation to Government officers. I cannot move a motion in relation to your people, can I?

Mr Moore: Seek leave to do it, and do it properly.

MR HUMPHRIES: You refused me leave a moment ago.

MR MOORE (4.58): Mr Speaker, I move an amendment so that the motion will include - - -

Mr Humphries: You refused me leave a moment ago to do the same thing.

MR MOORE: Yes, that is right. I will make it every which way I can, Mr Humphries.

Mr Humphries: You refused leave for me to move my motion. Move your own motion.

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