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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 1 Hansard (18 February) . . Page.. 40 ..

MR BERRY (continuing):

I was berated about these press releases. To correct the record, Mr Speaker, I will read them into the record so that any historians who read about this issue will see the claims and counterclaims. I quote:

The Carnell Government's belated release of its November Financial Management report shows that the Territory's health budget will be overspent by - - -

Mr Humphries: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. Mr Berry might think it is all right to use standing order 46 to basically read in the whole of his press release, but Mrs Carnell's allegation was quite specific - that Mr Berry claimed that there was a $16m deficit or black hole in the budget when, in fact, there was not. The reading of the whole of Mr Berry's press release is not going to address the issue that Mrs Carnell raised, unless he wishes to point out some specific provision in the press release where he says the opposite of what Mrs Carnell has alleged he said. Otherwise, Mr Speaker, he is using standing order 46 to read the whole of his press release into the record.

MR BERRY: Mr Speaker, do I get a chance - - -

MR SPEAKER: Order! I uphold the point of order, to the extent, Mr Berry, that you are countering Mrs Carnell's claim. If you are simply going to read your media statement into the record, I have to agree with Mr Humphries that this is simply no defence of your position. Presumably, you are going to highlight where there is a difference of opinion between you and Mrs Carnell, but it must be relevant.

MR BERRY: Indeed, Mr Speaker. Thank you for your leave to make a personal explanation about my position being misrepresented. Mrs Carnell made claims about certain press statements that I had issued. In fact, she said that I did not understand the issues involved as well. Surely one is allowed to explain oneself in relation to these matters.

MR BERRY: Mr Speaker, if you will not permit me to read the press releases onto the record, I will merely table them and seek leave to move a motion to have them incorporated in Hansard.

MR SPEAKER: Is leave granted to table the documents and to move the motion?

Leave granted.

MR BERRY: I move:

That the documents be incorporated in Hansard.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Documents incorporated at Appendix 1.

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