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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 14 Hansard (10 December) . . Page.. 4825 ..

MR SPEAKER: I am tired of constant interjections during question time. Continue, Mrs Carnell.

Ms McRae: You are tired, are you, Mr Speaker? Is that what the problem is? Mr Speaker, really!

MR SPEAKER: You may be running the risk too, Ms McRae. Continue, Chief Minister.

MRS CARNELL: Mr Speaker, I did not think you had to rule against interjections. I thought the standing orders did that. But far be it from me to make a comment.

Mr Hird: You are quite right.

Mr Whitecross: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. Mr Hird has interjected. Are you going to rule him out of order?

MR SPEAKER: Sit down.

MRS CARNELL: Mr Berry came in here this morning and stated that the practice of offering inducements, as identified in the Burbidge report, began under this Government. He came in here and accused me of condoning this practice. Mr Speaker, I have very bad news for Mr Berry, news that is going to come as a bit of a shock to him. For Mr Berry's benefit, inducements were being offered by the Racing Club during the term of the previous Government. I will say that again so that Mr Berry can become very clear on this issue. Inducements were being offered by the Racing Club while he was the relevant Minister.

Government members: Oh!

Ms McRae: Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order. Have you or have you not ruled on interjections? May I just have a clarification on that?

MR SPEAKER: All I heard was a bellow, something like a bull bellowing. I suggest that everybody stop playing games. This is a serious time, and you should have a little more respect for your constituents.

MRS CARNELL: Thank you very much, Mr Speaker; I could not agree with you more. When the Leader of the Opposition went on radio this morning, what did he say? To quote Mr Berry on ABC radio, he said:

Inducements were the issue of concern for TABs around the country and there were written undertakings from the VITAB group that there would be no inducements. They never occurred in the period of the Labor Government as far as I can make out.

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