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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 6 Hansard (23 May) . . Page.. 1600 ..

MR SPEAKER: Just a moment, please. The point of order is allowed, even though leave has been given for Mr Corbell to speak. That does not mean that the rest of the standing orders are somehow put aside because you have leave to speak. Mr Corbell, I accept that you will give notice of a motion for Thursday, and again that is fine. But you must not pre-empt debate on that matter, and I would ask you to be careful about it. I am not 100 per cent sure whether or not you were making allegations, or suggesting things were going on, but I would caution you.

MR CORBELL: Well, thank you, Mr Speaker. I do not think anyone else is unsure, except Mr Humphries, for his own frivolous reasons. Mr Speaker, the point I am making is that what you have ruled on today is a very serious matter. I raised with you an alleged breach of privilege.

Mr Humphries: Alleged. That's right.

MR CORBELL: That is what I said before, Mr Humphries. Obviously your selective hearing cut in again. Mr Speaker, the point I am raising here is that the reason why I have indicated that I will move this motion on Thursday is that evidence given to Assembly committees must be evidence which in no way is formed or corrupted by threat, intimidation or force. What we have seen in the Planning and Urban Services Committee, I believe, casts that into some considerable doubt, and the actions of the Minister for Urban Services, as outlined by the witness before that committee, bring the integrity of that evidence into considerable doubt. We can have no confidence in the evidence given to that committee being wholly truthful, open and honest if the claims made by the witness before that committee are correct

I am surprised, Mr Speaker, that you have not given this matter precedence, considering the seriousness of it. I invite you to give reasons as to why you have not given it precedence, and I inform members that I intend to move that motion to establish a select committee on privileges because of the seriousness of it, regardless of the fact that you have not chosen to give it precedence.

MR SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr Corbell. There are two matters. I shall consider your request about giving reasons. The second point is that this matter will be resolved on Thursday when your motion is debated.

MR SMYTH (Minister for Urban Services): Mr Speaker, under standing order 46, I would like to make a personal explanation.

Mr Berry: Providing you do not debate the issue.

MR SPEAKER: Yes.

MR SMYTH: Mr Speaker, what Mr Corbell alleges is not true

Mr Corbell: I did not allege it. That is the point.

MR SMYTH: I have clarified to this place that I have done nothing wrong. The Gungahlin Community Council have clarified what they stated. I will be happy to defend the charges on Thursday.

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