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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 6 Hansard (17 June) . . Page.. 1664 ..

MR WHITECROSS (continuing):

of ACTION over the last 21/2 years. Their treatment of ACTION has been a crystal clear example of their whole approach to government. They make decisions without analysis, cut back on public services, ignore all the criticism and wake up only when they get the polling. This is just like the supermarket trading hours. They got the polling and said, "Quick; we had better do something about it".

This is not even the original report. The original report landed on the Minister's desk and then on top of it landed the polling. The Minister read the polling, then he read the report and he said, "We had better change the report. It is not the right one anymore".

Mr Kaine: On a point of order, Mr Speaker: What Mr Whitecross is saying is a total untruth, and he knows it. I think he should be asked to withdraw it. It is a gross misrepresentation of the facts. He should be asked to withdraw it. I would like him to withdraw that allegation, Mr Speaker.

MR SPEAKER: Mr Whitecross, would you withdraw the allegation?

MR WHITECROSS: It was not an allegation at all.

Mr Kaine: It is a gross untruth.

MR WHITECROSS: It was not an allegation at all.

Mr Kaine: It is a lie.

MR WHITECROSS: Mr Speaker, I am sorry that Mr Kaine does not understand the English language. It was a parable to explain the decision-making process of the Government in this matter.

Mr Kaine: Mr Speaker, he did not present it as a parable. He presented it as fact - and it is a lie.

MR SPEAKER: Withdraw, Mr Whitecross.

MR WHITECROSS: Oh, dear! Mr Kaine's sensitivity speaks for itself, Mr Speaker. I have finished.

Mr Kaine: You are a liar, Mr Whitecross, apart from everything else.

MR SPEAKER: Order! Will you withdraw!

MR WHITECROSS: There is nothing to withdraw.

MR SPEAKER: Mr Kaine has taken offence. Would you please consider withdrawing, and let us get on with the business.

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