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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 1 Hansard (17 February) . . Page.. 266 ..

MR HUMPHRIES (continuing):

an amount which in fact would have amounted to a reduction in real terms to legal aid. My view is that legal aid in this Territory is meeting increasingly serious levels of demand and it needs to be supported as the first priority of government. Mr Speaker, I would be surprised if anyone else in this chamber would think that there were more important demands on moneys of this kind than legal aid. Mr Speaker, that principally is the basis for my decision. I repeat that I followed the advice I was given in this matter, and I did so with no hesitation or sense of regret.

MR BERRY: Mr Speaker, I have a supplementary question. Is it not true, Mr Attorney, that you were stung by the Women's Legal Centre's activities when they exposed your complete and utter ineptitude on the issue of restricting a woman's right to choose? Is it not true that when your obsession with this issue was exposed you responded, Mr Attorney, in a spiteful and vindictive way against people who are keen to ensure that women's rights are protected? This is an organisation which is charged with protecting a woman's right and you have been vindictive and spiteful?

Mr Humphries: Mr Speaker, I take a point of order.

MR SPEAKER: It is all right, Mr Minister. I am about to rule it out of order. He is asking for an expression of opinion.

MR BERRY: No, no, no.

MR SPEAKER: Yes, it is. Is it true?

MR BERRY: Is it true that you are spiteful and vindictive and you have paid them back?

MR SPEAKER: Sit down. I am ruling it out of order.

MR HUMPHRIES: I would like to respond, Mr Speaker.

MR SPEAKER: Would you? Very well.

Mr Berry: No, I do not want him to respond. It is okay. We will not get the answer. Yes or no, Gary?

MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Speaker, the answer is no. With great respect, Mr Speaker, if Mr Berry wants to make these accusations in this place I think he should substantiate them.

Ms Carnell: He never does.

MR SPEAKER: I know.

MR HUMPHRIES: He has not done that.

MR SPEAKER: I was happy to rule it out of order.

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