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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 7 Hansard (24 June) . . Page.. 2005 ..

Mr Osborne: I slagged you off, Mr Whitecross, because you stood up for 20 minutes and said absolute drivel.

Mr Whitecross: I did not.

MR SPEAKER: Come on, kiddies! Let us get out of this playpen.

MR BERRY: Mr Speaker, I resent that sort of implication. This is serious business and a serious debate is occurring. If you do not want to stay here, get somebody else to sit in the chair in your place.

MR SPEAKER: I suggest that you address yourself to the seriousness of the debate.

MR BERRY: Mr Speaker, the budget papers to which Mr Osborne has given his undying commitment say this:

The introduction of a scheme at the Superannuation Guarantee level, as in most states and the private sector, would be a means of containing the longer term annual costs and accruing liabilities.

That is a reduction of benefits for workers. There is no other way of describing it, Mr Osborne. You stand up there as a fount of all knowledge on superannuation and ignore the fact that you are a supporter of this Government. You have disqualified yourself from criticising it because of your undying commitment to and vote for this Government in two previous budgets where they did not fund the emergence of superannuation liability.

You cannot ignore the truth. The truth of the matter can be found in the Estimates Committee report on page 20, where you will find that, in its three budgets, this Government - I will accept your apology after this - - -

Mr Osborne: Do not hold your breath, Wayne.

MR BERRY: Admitting you are wrong is something that you might find difficult - - -

Mr Osborne: Will you admit that you are wrong?

MR BERRY: I know that I would find it difficult - - -

MR SPEAKER: Order! Just get on with the debate.

MR BERRY: I would find it difficult that Mr Osborne would admit that he was wrong, Mr Speaker, after his support for this Government for so long.

MR SPEAKER: Just get on with the debate and stop exchanging insults across the chamber.

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