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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 5 Hansard (26 August) . . Page.. 1407 ..

Ms Carnell: Mr Speaker, sorry. It is simply not right to suggest that somehow Mr Hird was drunk.

MR BERRY: I did not say he was drunk. I said you could smell the alcohol.

Ms Carnell: You jolly did. You inferred it.

Mr Humphries: You did not have to say it, Mr Berry.

MR SPEAKER: Well, I think it should be withdrawn, please. Now, look, we have now - - -

MR BERRY: Well, he was under the influence of alcohol.

MR SPEAKER: Mr Berry, we have now put certain things into Hansard - - -

MR BERRY: There is nothing wrong with being under the influence, just - - -

MR SPEAKER: We have now put certain things into Hansard. I believe, in all fairness, we should at least also put in a withdrawal.

MR BERRY: Well, Mr Speaker, I cannot see how a statement of fact is a problem. All I am saying is that if you read the Hansard you cannot smell the alcohol. That is the point I make. Mr Speaker, I just do not think this is worth worrying about. Mr Humphries is the one who branded Mr Hird a dipsomaniac.

MR SPEAKER: Mr Berry, would you please withdraw the implication?

MR BERRY: Imputation, Mr Speaker.

MR SPEAKER: Imputation.

MR BERRY: Thank you, Mr Speaker. It is withdrawn. Remember, Mr Humphries is the one who branded Mr Hird a dipsomaniac. Remember? So do not ever criticise us for mentioning alcohol in this place. Mr Speaker, there are a few other things that I would like to deal with in relation to this matter. I should add that that is why I have put a motion on the notice paper which deals with a change to the standing orders to give the chair of the committee - - -

Mr Hird: Yes, and I am supporting it, too.

MR BERRY: - - - an ability to deal with the sorts of problems which were created on that day which - - -

Mr Hird: Go outside and say it. Come on, outside and say it. Put some backbone in it.

MR BERRY: - - - the chair was unable to deal with on the day, as I found out later on.

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