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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 6 Hansard (24 May) . . Page.. 1696 ..

MR HUMPHRIES (continuing):

time to realise that Mr Hird has a great sense of theatre. Each question time he exhibits that sense of theatre in rising to ask his question of the day. I do not think for one instant that Mr Hird lacks artistic bones in his body. I will not say any more.

I have one last reflection on the theme Mr Smyth raised a moment ago. We are extremely lucky in the ACT to have such a high quality of output, both from the organisations based in the ACT who are funded here and from those that visit here. Some of us had the privilege of seeing the Bell Shakespeare Company production last week of A Midsummer Nights Dream. It was an absolutely superb production. I hope members who got to see that enjoyed it.

Ms Carnell: I am seeing it tonight.

MR HUMPHRIES: You are seeing it tonight? Very good. You think you are.

Ms Carnell: No, I am, because Bill and I are paired. He wants to go to-

MR HUMPHRIES: I might get a pair too. Mr Deputy Speaker, it is a great thing to see, and I do hope we have an acknowledgment in today's motion by Mr Hird of a very high quality of output assisted by triennial funding.

MR HIRD (4.56), in reply: I was not going to rise and exercise my right of reply.

Mr Berry: That's good. We are sorry we provoked you. Mr Deputy Speaker, I take a point of order. We are sorry that we provoked him.

MR DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order!

MR HIRD: But there have been some comments made. It gives me no pleasure to do what I am about to do in respect of the shadow treasurer who said that the government were the ones who were perpetrating the loss of time of this great institution in this chamber.

Mr Quinlan: For the second week in a row.

MR HIRD: Let me tell you, Mr Deputy Speaker, for Mr Quinlan's information, that it is very difficult for a backbencher in the government-you would know from when you were a backbencher on all those committees, Mr Deputy Speaker-to vent your views and get action for your constituents. I would remind Mr Quinlan of what is on the daily program. Item No. 4 relates to the proposed supervised injecting room trial and was placed on the notice paper by Mr Kaine on 9 May. Notice of a motion on indigenous education was given by Mr Berry, in his enthusiasm, on 9 May. My motion relating to triennial arts funding went on notice on 17 February. So Mr Quinlan owes me an apology, but I will not hold my breath.

Let us talk about the wild accusation you made in respect of the estimates committee which was chaired by your colleague Mr Berry. I was accused, wrongly, of being overzealous, overstrenuous, for over-emphasising the expenditure of public moneys, to wit, $1.6 million. I know Mr Quinlan would be interested in this. This art group was

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