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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 10 Hansard (25 November) . . Page.. 2936 ..

MR BERRY (continuing):

Mr Speaker, there is no argument about establishing this committee. The argument is really about those people in this place accepting their responsibility to do so and to properly consult. Mr Speaker, I reckon that there is a fair chance that this motion will pass. That is if people - - -

Mr Hird: You are rubbing your tummy again.

MR SPEAKER: Order! The house will come to order.

MR BERRY: You should have had the courage to speak, Mr Hird.

Mr Hird: I do not need to. I have had a go at this many times before.

MR SPEAKER: Order, Mr Hird! Mr Berry has the floor.

MR BERRY: And you did not do much of a job of it - - -

Mr Hird: Well, you are not doing much of a job yourself.

MR SPEAKER: Order!

MR BERRY: Mr Speaker, I think there is a fair chance that this Bill will pass. Mr Moore said on ABC radio this morning:

There is nothing I would like better than to see this legislation fall at the in-principle stage today, or be adjourned or delayed, and I will be supporting any move to do that.

I reckon that is pretty solid support. I reckon Ms Tucker will support this. The strength of my argument will convince most of my colleagues, I think, as it is a conscience issue. Who else is there to convince? I think we have just about got it sewn up. But, if we need any more convincing, we will look to another comment from Mr Moore. There are three possible ways of dealing with any piece of policy. The first one is to oppose; the second, to agree; and the third, to delay. I am very comfortable with opposing or delaying, and I will be supporting them as vigorously as I can.

Ms Carnell: So you are admitting that this is just delaying?

MR BERRY: I am quoting Mr Moore. I am now sure that I have his support for this committee, because that means delaying it so that we can consider the matter properly. Mr Moore's track record has been rock solid on that score, especially when he was on the crossbench in this place. If anybody wants me to read what he said again, I have got the piece of paper in my pocket.

Mr Speaker, I must say that, when I was thinking about the composition of the committee, it was a little difficult to come up with - - -

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