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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 8 Hansard (26 August) . . Page.. 2438 ..

MR SPEAKER: No, that is not correct, Ms McRae. The fact is that Mr Berry has withdrawn certain statements that he made. The Chief Minister said that she was happy to withdraw the censure motion on that basis. The fact is that the Opposition is not prepared to allow the censure motion to be withdrawn. Therefore, the motion stays with the Assembly. Do you want an extension of time, Mr Berry?

MR BERRY: Indeed, I do. I want to finish arguing my case.

Suspension of Standing Orders

MR HUMPHRIES (Attorney-General) (5.21): Mr Speaker, I move:

That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent Mrs Carnell from withdrawing her motion.

Mr Berry obviously wants to be censured; but, since he has withdrawn the damning allegations, it is appropriate that the motion be allowed to be withdrawn. Only an hour ago we heard how keen this Opposition was to get on to question time. We heard how desperate they were to get on to question time and how terrified this Government was of question time. Okay, we want question time, guys. We are ready for question time. I have my folders. The Chief Minister has her folders. Everyone else has their folders here. Mr Kaine is ready. Mr Stefaniak is ready. We are all ready. We are ready for question time. Are you ready?

MR SPEAKER: Order! The question is: That Mr Humphries's motion be agreed to.

MR BERRY (Leader of the Opposition) (5.21): Now I get a chance to speak. Mr Speaker, I am appalled at the way the Government is behaving in relation to this issue.

Mrs Carnell: You said that you withdrew the "fraudulent" claims; fine.

MR BERRY: I did say that I withdrew my language, and I do not go back on that. But, Mr Speaker, the point we made - and I think it has been well made - was that the probity checks were not conducted - - -

MR SPEAKER: Mr Berry, you are discussing the motion that Mr Humphries has proposed.

MR BERRY: If the Government insists that its censure motion was not worth two bob, I am happy to go along with it.

Mr Humphries: It was, but you have withdrawn the allegation.

MR BERRY: What about tax rorts? I am still sticking with that one.

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