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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 5 Hansard (9 May) . . Page.. 1238 ..

MR SMYTH (continuing):

I believe that this bill should be debated cognately with Mr Berry's. If the Assembly is ready, we may even do both on Thursday. We would do Mr Berry's in government time as well. I thank members for their leave to present this bill this morning.

Debate (on motion by Mr Berry) adjourned.

PERSONAL EXPLANATION

MR BERRY: Mr Speaker, I seek leave to make a personal explanation pursuant to standing order 46.

MR SPEAKER: Very well. Leave is granted.

MR BERRY: It is in response to some of the things that have been said by Mr Smyth. Mr Smyth seemed to intimate that there was an inadequacy in the bill put forward by me. I know that the government is trying to play some catch-up politics.

Mr Smyth: Mr Speaker, this is hardly a personal explanation. It is a matter of debate.

MR SPEAKER: Just a moment. I will hear him out. Go on, Mr Berry.

MR BERRY: I know that the government is trying to play catch-up politics because it was a matter of severe embarrassment for the government-

MR SPEAKER: We are getting away from a personal explanation, aren't we?

MR BERRY: Mr Speaker, I would just like you to extend to me the same generosity that you extended to Mr Humphries in making a personal explanation following the introduction of Mr Stanhope's bill in private members business when we last sat. Mr Humphries made a quite extended statement in relation to his position on that bill. I hope that you would extend the same generosity to me in relation to this matter.

MR SPEAKER: As long as you stay on the topic, it will be all right.

MR BERRY: I will stay on the topic of the occupational health and safety matters and the government's performance in relation to this matter.

MR SPEAKER: No, that is not a personal explanation. Mr Berry, you understand the rules probably better than anybody else in this chamber, as you make many personal explanations.

MR BERRY: Mr Speaker, all I intend to do is adopt the same course as Mr Humphries. You can sit me down if you wish. Mr Speaker, the government's performance has been an embarrassment for them. It was drawn to their-

MR SPEAKER: Order! Mr Berry, this is not a personal explanation. I will sit you down if you persist.

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