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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 4 Hansard (22 April) . . Page.. 1177 ..

MR SMYTH: It says:

It then goes on to say:

Mr Speaker, the Canberra International Dragway's press release - - -

Mr Corbell: It is true.

MR SMYTH: Mr Corbell is wrong. He is being silly and quite foolish on this. The Canberra International Dragway - - -

Mr Berry: I take a point of order.

MR SPEAKER: Just a moment. This is a personal explanation.

Mr Berry: I know it is, Mr Speaker, but personal explanations are usually in relation to matters which occur in this house. This a matter which quite easily could have been responded to in the media had Mr Smyth wished to proceed there. He is debating the substance of a press release which was issued outside this chamber.

MR SPEAKER: He is not debating because I will not allow him to debate. He is making a personal explanation.

Mr Berry: Would you like to define what debating is? Have you got a new definition?

MR SPEAKER: He may be a bit long-winded about it, but he is making a personal explanation.

MR SMYTH: Mr Speaker, the petition actually calls upon the Federal Government to honour its commitments, so Mr Corbell has been foolish in that regard. The press release then says that Mr Smyth refused to accept the petition. Mr Develin personally delivered the petition to my office. Mr Corbell is being a prat about this issue, as he has been for the whole time. He should withdraw his press release or correct it.

Mr Berry: He is debating the issue, Mr Speaker.

MR SPEAKER: No, he is not.

Mr Berry: He is challenging the credibility of it.

MR SPEAKER: Mr Smyth has finished his personal explanation, which I understand involves a petition which is in his possession. Are we all done? Thank you.

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