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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 4 Hansard (7 May) . . Page.. 1035 ..

MR BERRY: Mr Speaker, may I suggest to you that if you wish to debate the issue you get somebody else to occupy the chair and come down on the floor with the rest of us. Mr Speaker, this is an issue about the likes of Pauline Hanson who has conservative views, much like other conservative politicians who have expressed these views in such a way as to incite racial hatred - - -

Mr Humphries: Mr Speaker, I - - -

Ms McRae: This is outrageous.

MR SPEAKER: Order!

Mr Humphries: Mr Speaker, I agree with Ms McRae; it is outrageous. You have twice directed Mr Berry not to stray from the subject matter of this debate.

MR BERRY: Throw me out if you like.

Mr Humphries: Mr Speaker, you have the power under the standing orders, of course, to direct that the speaker resume his seat. You may wish to consider exercising it if Mr Berry continues to flout your ruling.

MR SPEAKER: I would remind Mr Berry, again, that the motion is as Mr Wood has put forward. I think it is broad enough for all members, as we have indicated already today, to be able to make a contribution. Mr Berry, address your remarks to the motion.

MR BERRY: Indeed, Mr Speaker. Pauline Hanson's attitude to minority groups throughout Australia is that of an arch conservative. I do not think anybody disagrees. Other arch conservative politicians like Pauline Hanson have taken the same approach.

Mr Humphries: Like Graeme Campbell?

MR BERRY: Like Mr Campbell. I have no difficulty with you describing Mr Campbell in any way you like, because I would probably be able to think up a description which would be - - -

MR SPEAKER: Unparliamentary.

MR BERRY: Unparliamentary. The fact of the matter is that this is a trend towards something which was started by politicians in society. I have to say that one of the things that disgusted me more than anything else was the fact that it was let go for so long because it seemed to suit the views of others around the place to let it go. I was most disappointed that the Prime Minister, John Howard, did not rise to the occasion in relation to this issue.

There are many attacks against minority groups or against people on the progressive side of politics, or people who are pursuing a particular objective for the group they represent. There are always the snide remarks about collectivism as opposed to individualism, such as, "Why are these people getting special treatment? Why do they not do it on merit?".

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