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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 2 Hansard (21 May) . . Page.. 468 ..
MR HUMPHRIES (continuing):
Let me make one last point. We are talking here about an alternative between using Executive business time and using private members business time on Wednesdays. Mr Moore could use private members business time on Wednesdays. What would those opposite say about that, I wonder. They would not be too pleased, I suspect. Mr Moore has done the Assembly the courtesy of not taking up private members business time by seeking to introduce his Bill on a Government business day. That shows a courtesy to the chamber and it should be respected. The motion for the suspension of standing orders should be supported.
MR CORBELL (11.41): Mr Speaker, the acrimony in this debate is quite interesting, but it is not the reason why the Labor Party has not been seen to be prepared to grant leave. It is very clear that, unlike the other precedents which members on the Government side have advanced in support of Mr Moore's proposal this morning, what we are dealing with here is a very new game indeed. We are talking about a Minister who is entering into a coalition with the Liberal Party but who has indicated from the very beginning his intention to regularly introduce Bills as a private member, effectively as a non-Executive member.
This is not a one-off occurrence. This is the establishment, potentially, of a trend. I would like Mr Moore to listen to this because it is very important. It is very important, Mr Moore, that you listen to this. Mr Speaker, Mr Moore claimed that the Labor Party is afraid of change, but that is simply not the case. The Labor Party is quite prepared for Mr Moore to enter into a coalition arrangement with the Liberal Party - - -
MR SPEAKER: Order! The time allowed for the debate has expired.
Question resolved in the affirmative, with the concurrence of an absolute majority.
MR MOORE (Minister for Health and Community Care) (11.43): Thank you, members, for your support. It seems to me that Mr Corbell, in speaking to the motion for the suspension of standing orders, did raise an important point that I am quite happy to work on to ensure that we have an agreed approach to this sort of thing. I am very happy for this matter to be considered by the Standing Committee on Administration and Procedure if they choose to deal with it, but until such time as that happens it is appropriate to follow precedent in the Assembly. That is the way we operate, as Mr Berry of all people, who has been here since the beginning, knows very well.
MR SPEAKER: Present the Bill, Mr Moore.
MR MOORE: Mr Speaker, I present the Litter (Amendment) Bill 1998, together with its explanatory memorandum.
Title read by Clerk.
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