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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 3 Hansard (28 May) . . Page.. 746 ..

MR OSBORNE (4.09): I have a problem with supporting Mr Kaine's amendment.

Mr Kaine: That is not what you told me yesterday, Paul.

MR OSBORNE: It is not what I told Mr Kaine yesterday because of the exceptional circumstances - there is that term again - of the last few weeks, with Mr Kaine leaving the Liberal Party and coming to the crossbenches after being nominated as a Government member on a number of committees. I think that Mr Kaine has done the honourable thing with all committees. He has stood down from some and has handed over all bar one, to do what the Government wanted.

As chair of the Justice Committee, I was more than happy - and I would have preferred it - to have Mr Kaine stay on the committee as the third member, because I have worked with him in the past on a number of committees and we do work very well. I indicated to him and Mr Hargreaves that, given the circumstances of Mr Kaine coming to the crossbenches, perhaps I would consider expanding the membership to four if the Government was adamant about having a Government member on the Justice Committee. I saw no problem with that; but I did say that, if the Labor Party were going to play silly buggers and move a motion and try to use Mr Kaine's desire to stay on the Justice Committee as justification to increase their numbers, then I could not really go outside and say that I am quite happy with this situation but not with another.

Unfortunately, the Labor Party has forced me into a situation where I am not able to support Mr Kaine, although I want to because I think that his involvement would be invaluable. However, as I said, once again the Labor Party have done as they normally do and have tried to manipulate the situation. Unfortunately, because of that I will not be able to support the amendment.

Amendment (Mr Kaine's) agreed to.

MR BERRY (4.12): Mr Speaker, I move the amendments which have been circulated in my name.

MR SPEAKER: You will need leave.

MR BERRY: I seek leave to move the amendments circulated in my name.

Leave granted.

Mr Osborne: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I missed the vote.

MR SPEAKER: I called the Ayes as having it.

Mr Osborne: I think the Noes have it, Mr Speaker.

MR SPEAKER: It is too late. I have called it. We are in the middle of the next amendments.

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