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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 8 Hansard (27 August) . . Page.. 2491 ..

MR MOORE: For that reason, Mr Speaker, I am prepared to move an amendment that I think sends exactly the same message but has a chance of being passed unanimously. Mr Berry says, "No, it is no good", because the amendment that I have circulated says that we condemn the decision rather than that we condemn the Prime Minister. I have to remind members of the Labor Party that, when Paul Keating was in, they would strenuously resist any motion from the Assembly that sought to condemn the Labor Party Prime Minister.

Mr Berry: But sometimes we got beaten.

MR MOORE: Indeed; but how much more effective is a motion if it is not just a political gimmick but if the sentiment of the whole Assembly is carried? Mr Speaker, that is why I have sought to get to a point where we can work together on this so that my amendment will have this effect. The current motion reads:

That this Assembly condemns the Prime Minister of Australia, John Howard, for his arrogant refusal to live in the Prime Minister's Lodge - an act which demonstrates his contempt for the Australian Capital Territory and its people.

My amendment reads:

That this Assembly condemns the decision of the Prime Minister of Australia, Mr John Howard, to refuse to make the Prime Minister's Lodge in Canberra his primary residence - a decision which demonstrates his contempt for the ACT and its people - and calls on all Members of this Assembly to join petitioners in Canberra in calling on Mr Howard to make Canberra his primary residence.

Mr Speaker, in a way, that supports the work that Mrs Littlewood has been doing with her petition. Mrs Littlewood's petition reads:

WE, the residents of the Australian Capital Territory, bring to your attention the concerns of the Canberra community at your decision not to use `THE LODGE' as the official residence of the Prime Minister of Australia. We further wish to alert you to both the economic and emotional impact on this community.

Your petitioners therefore respectfully request a review of your decision on this matter.

The word "respectfully" I do not mind, although it is a bit of a worry; but it is a normal part of a petition. Mr Speaker, the wording is actually very soft and very gentle. Our motion is much stronger than that. I presume that what Mrs Littlewood was doing - and I am sure that she will speak to it - was saying that sometimes you achieve more by doing things in this manner than by going in with a sledgehammer.

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