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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 7 Hansard (24 June) . . Page.. 2017 ..

MR SPEAKER: Could we get back to Part 8, which is Health and Community Care.

MR BERRY: Indeed, Mr Speaker, but it was debated when it was introduced by Mr Moore; so, I expected that I would be given the same tolerance. Mr Moore adopted the same view as the tobacco companies and the AHA in relation to tobacco consumption in the ACT. I think I embarrassed him on that score.

Mr Moore: On a point of order, Mr Speaker: I consider that that is an imputation as well. I certainly do not have the same attitude. I would ask Mr Berry to withdraw it.

MR BERRY: Mr Speaker, I - - -

Mr Moore: He continues to imply, quite deliberately, Mr Speaker, that I have some kind of financial association with the tobacco companies or the AHA, which I do not have.

MR BERRY: I will withdraw whatever is upsetting Mr Moore.

MR SPEAKER: Thank you. Can we get back to Part 8, Department of Health and Community Care? I do not mind you talking about tobacco - that is a health issue - but can we keep the personalities out of it?

MR BERRY: Tobacco consumption is a health issue, and I am glad that Mr Moore raised it, because my record on this issue is clean; I do not think his is. Mr Speaker, I think people - - -

Mrs Carnell: It is just a lie, Wayne.

MR BERRY: I do not think you can say that, either.

Mr Moore: You are a bloody liar, and you know it.

MR BERRY: Mr Moore!

MR SPEAKER: Order! Come on!

MR BERRY: My record on that is clean, and people will recall the period as a period of a test which proved only that in this Assembly nine beats eight. A subsequent inquiry into the entire matter which was at the centre of the debate proved that I had done nothing wrong, to the embarrassment of some - - -

Mr Moore: It had nothing to do with that debate. It was about VITAB, Wayne. That is why you lost your ministry.

MR BERRY: Mr Speaker, it proved that I had done nothing wrong. I think the editorial in the then Canberra Weekly made the correct point, namely, that all it had proved, Mr Moore, was that nine beats eight. That is about all it proved. So, Mr Speaker, now let us get back to the health budget - - -

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