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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 2 Hansard (19 May) . . Page.. 299 ..

MR OSBORNE (continuing):

Mr Speaker, for a short period of time the Government's numbers went up to eight; they have now settled back to seven. I was on my way to Sydney when I heard it on the ABC last week. It was an impressive dive, I have to admit. I would give it 9.5 for execution but no points for degree of difficulty. What Mr Kaine does is Mr Kaine's business. But his personal choices do not constitute sufficient reason to change the Government, and I think Mr Kaine would agree with that sentiment.

Let me put on record now, once and for all, the grounds on which I believe there is sufficient reason to change a government, Mr Speaker, because with the number of inquiries running at the moment, in particular on the hospital implosion, changing government seems to be a regular topic of conversation about this place. For Mr Rugendyke and me to support a change of government there would have to be a clear and compelling case of gross misconduct, corruption or negligence on the part of the Executive. Let me say the first part again - clear and compelling. I would have to be convinced that it was clear and compelling. It would not be sufficient for the Opposition to claim that there was such a case. To paraphrase Sir Thomas More, in such a case what would matter would be that I believe it to be true.

So, Mr Speaker, there is a lot of inertia in the Government's favour. Once it is in, it is not easily shifted; and, once in, it should be allowed enough freedom to exercise authority and chart its own course. As long as it proceeds with wisdom and care and is not reckless, then it should stay put until it is changed by the people.

MS CARNELL (Chief Minister and Treasurer) (11.02): Mr Speaker, I ask for leave to move a motion concerning the recent nuclear testing conducted by the Indian Government.

Leave granted.

MS CARNELL: I move:

That this Assembly:

(1) strongly condemns the actions of the Indian Government in conducting nuclear tests;

(2) calls on the Indian Government to heed international opinion and announce the end of nuclear testing;

(3) views the actions of the Indian Government as divisive as they may impact on the maintenance of harmonious relations between the Indian and Pakistan communities in Canberra; and

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