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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 7 Hansard (30 June) . . Page.. 1851 ..

MR HIRD (continuing):

(Further extension of time granted) Mr Kaine went on, and you would be interested in this part, Mr Speaker:

Mr Speaker, I assume that Mr Kaine - - -

MR SPEAKER: At least he has been in the chamber.

MR HIRD: Yes. I assume that Mr Kaine still stands by this view about your job. But there you have it anyway. Mr Kaine's involvement in Treasury matters was something that he valued and wanted to continue. I can understand that and I am sure you would share that with me, as would other members. So the question of Mr Kaine not wanting to continue as a Minister has been dealt with. He did want to continue as one and the evidence is on the table to prove it.

Mr Speaker, what I have demonstrated today beyond any shadow of doubt is that Mr Kaine not only was involved in the decision-making process about Bruce Stadium, he also supported it. For this MLA to stand in this place and claim otherwise is remarkable, or he has a short memory. He might enjoy meeting new people every day. His contribution to this no-confidence motion must therefore be seen against these facts.

To now claim, as Mr Kaine does, that he had nothing to do with this process, that it was entirely the responsibility of the Chief Minister - to act like Pontius Pilate, wash his hands and do nothing - and that he never agreed with the management of the Bruce Stadium issue is beyond belief. At the very least Mr Kaine should have the courage to admit that he did agree with the Government's approach back in 1997 and 1998, but that he has now changed his mind.

Mr Speaker, it is therefore rubbish for Mr Kaine to claim that his support for this motion is based on his readings of the events that took place. His motives in seeking to get rid of Mrs Carnell as Chief Minister and the Government are entirely different. Put simply, sad as it is, Mr Kaine is a great hater who is consumed unfortunately with attempting to destroy the Chief Minister's political career by whatever means he can find, foul or fair. In this sense, Mr Kaine and Mr Berry have a lot in common. I could not make a speech without putting Mr Berry in.

You see, Mr Kaine hates Mrs Carnell and will stop at nothing in his pursuit of her. He has never forgiven her, nor will he ever, I believe, for taking away the leadership of the party. Her leadership has seen stunning electoral victories compared with his two losses at the ballot box. As well, Mrs Carnell has given the Liberal Party and the people of this great territory an unparalleled six years of stability, something neither Mr Kaine nor the Labor Party was able to match since the departure of Rosemary Follett.

Just as compelling, Mr Speaker, is the evidence as to how Mr Kaine actually comes to be sitting here during this debate. Mr Kaine stood for election as a member of the same party that you and I belong to, and under the same leader that he now says is guilty of acting illegally and should be thrown out of office. Mr Kaine made it to this place

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