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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 7 Hansard (24 September) . . Page.. 2181 ..

MR MOORE: Mr Speaker, apparently Mr Berry has heard a rumour that I will not speak to the nurses.

Ms Carnell: It could have been an anonymous letter.

MR MOORE: It might have been an anonymous letter. It is the same level as the rumour he used in a question yesterday to vilify public servants, a standard process used by Mr Berry and one that I would hope that Mr Stanhope looks at very carefully and makes sure that Mr Berry does not continue with.

Mr Berry: That is not true, Michael.

Mr Smyth: He says it is not true, Mr Moore.

MR MOORE: He says it is not true. I have here in front of me today 16 examples of Mr Berry vilifying public servants in one way or another over the last short while. I am quite happy to show you those, Mr Stanhope, because it is just such an unacceptable and disgusting practice. Relying on rumour and hearsay is a pointless and awful way - - -

Mr Berry: Mr Speaker, did the Minister say he would not speak to the nurses or not? That is all I want to know.

MR MOORE: It is a pointless and disgusting way - - -

MR SPEAKER: I think Mr Moore is answering the question.

Mr Stanhope: I take a point of order, Mr Speaker. The Minister is in no way attempting to answer the question. He is simply spraying at Mr Berry over some perceived grievance that he has with him. This is some personal vendetta that the Minister insists on carrying out against Mr Berry. He is not even attempting to answer the question, Mr Speaker, and I ask you to call him to order.

MR SPEAKER: I am sure Mr Moore is coming to answer the question, but there is no point of order.

MR MOORE: Mr Speaker, perhaps Mr Berry has the story slightly twisted. He did say it was an industrial relations matter. What he might be referring to is that in the Industrial Relations Commission last night Commissioner Deegan required that all parties refrain from speaking to the media. I do not see how Mr Berry could twist that around the way he twists and turns. Mr Speaker, it is not about a personal issue between me and Mr Berry. It is about how Mr Berry attacks public servants.

Mr Berry: I take a point of order, Mr Speaker. I do not care about Mr Moore's ramblings about personal issues between me and him. All I want to know is whether he refused to speak to the nurses union in the course of the industrial dispute or whether he did not. Just yes or no will do.

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