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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 1 Hansard (30 April) . . Page.. 258 ..

MR BERRY (4.27), in reply: What amazes me about this debate is the hypocrisy of the coalition. It was not long ago that they were all out there spouting the words, "We need to attract a broader base of expertise and the talent of the crossbenches".

Mr Humphries: From outside the Assembly.

MR BERRY: The talent of the crossbenches and other talents within the Assembly, but only from one group, it seems. This demonstrates the clear and undiluted hypocrisy of those opposite. Mr Osborne is a recent convert to change in the ACT Assembly. First of all, Mr Osborne spent a heap of time blackening the place and then created the impression that he was the agent for change. Mr Osborne claimed credit for the proposal for the committee system that was developed and ultimately adopted by this Assembly. In fact, that proposal came from the Governing Canberra report, which was discredited by all and sundry and which the Government ran away from. It ultimately became an important pillar of democracy in this place, which goes to show the sheer hypocrisy and positioning that have been going on in this place. Mr Osborne also raised some question about my comments in relation to Professor Pettit.

Mr Moore: I take a point of order under standing order 136. Mr Speaker, I drew the Clerk's attention to the fact that I think that this motion might be out of order. The minutes of 28 April 1998, on page 18, show that in respect of the motion regarding the Select Committee on the Report of the Review of Governance there was an amendment, I think put by Mr Berry, to omit paragraph (2) and substitute a paragraph stating that the committee be composed of five members. I think that, in substance, that is the same question. I think, therefore, that Mr Berry's motion to amend is out of order.

MR BERRY: Can I just speak to the point of order, Mr Speaker? The question to which Mr Moore refers was an amendment in relation to all committees of the Assembly. This amendment is specifically related to one committee. As I recall it, this committee was not mentioned in the batch of committees that were the subject of the original question. It has a different application, Mr Speaker.

Mr Moore: No, that is not how it is. Look at the minutes.

MR BERRY: I do not have them in front of me. It was in relation to all the other committees that were formed, Mr Moore, as I recall.

Mr Moore: I draw your attention to the top of page 18 of the minutes, Mr Speaker. Under the heading "Select Committee on the Report of the Review of Governance", the minutes state:

(5) Omit paragraph (2), substitute the following paragraph:

"(2) the Committee be composed of 5 members to be notified in writing to the Speaker - - -

MR BERRY: I accept that.

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