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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 5 Hansard (6 May) . . Page.. 1460 ..
MR OSBORNE (continuing):
Mr Humphries said that he was not motivated by revenge in relation to this issue. Who can tell? Who in here can judge another person's motives? I certainly cannot. Perhaps it would be easier for me to judge the motives of the people who raised this issue. Perhaps I could suggest that it was motivated by hatred, by revenge. Who knows?
Mr Speaker, the reason I supported Mr Berry's legislation a couple of weeks ago was, as I said at the time, that I feel for this family. I cannot imagine what they are going through. I believe that justice has to be done; I still believe that. But, as I said earlier, I do not know what today achieves for the Bender family. I think it raises the issue in their mind and causes them more pain, as I said.
Before I sit down, I want to go to a number of the issues that were raised by Mr Kaine. I spoke earlier about him claiming that he had the Benders' best interests at heart. I think some of us in here would disagree with that. He accuses those of us on the crossbench of not having an open mind. One can only hope that he entered this place this morning with an open mind. He accuses Mr Rugendyke and me of not listening. I suggest that he should worry more about himself.
Mr Speaker, I came in here this morning with an open mind. I listened to Mr Stanhope while upstairs. I listened to Mr Humphries. I will not be supporting the want-of-confidence motion. I hope and pray, though, that the inquest report will be handed down soon so that the Bender family can finally begin their long healing process.
Debate (on motion by Mr Quinlan ) adjourned.
That the resumption of the debate be made an order of the day for a later hour this day and be given precedence over all business, subject to the order of the Assembly of 4 May 1999 relating to the consideration of the Appropriation Bill 1999-2000 at 3.00 p.m. and the calling on of questions without notice at 2.30 p.m.
MR HUMPHRIES (Attorney-General, Minister for Justice and Community Safety and Minister Assisting the Treasurer) (12.29): Mr Speaker, I move:
Omit 'the calling on of questions without notice at 2.30 p.m.'.
I want to delete the reference to question time, Mr Speaker, and I want to speak to that amendment to Mr Quinlan's motion. It has been traditionally the case in this place that motions of want of confidence have taken precedence over all other business.
Mr Berry: Question time too?
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