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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 6 Hansard (25 May) . . Page.. 1918 ..

Members interjecting-

MR SPEAKER: Order! I will not accept that motion if you wish to speak, Mr Berry.

MR BERRY: Oh dear me.

Mr Moore: Mr Speaker, we have had a long debate on this issue already.

Mr Corbell: Sit down, Michael.

Mr Moore: A point of order-

Members interjecting-

MR SPEAKER: Order! The house will come to order. I have ruled that I will not accept the motion for the gag at the moment. It is true that we have had considerable debate on the matter earlier this day, but not at this point. I call Mr Berry.

Mr Moore: I draw your attention to standing order 62, Mr Speaker.

Mr Stanhope: Name him, Mr Speaker. He is being quite wilful.

Members interjecting-

MR BERRY: What are you doing now? Is this another point of order? You usually get up on your feet when you-

MR SPEAKER: Order! Settle down everybody. It is six minutes to 12.

MR BERRY: Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Members interjecting-

MR SPEAKER: Order! Will everybody else but Mr Berry please remain silent.

MR BERRY: Mr Speaker, I merely want to go over the important issues which face us on this question. This is an issue which will go on the record and demonstrate how ludicrous a government can be when it finds itself in a corner. Over the last couple of weeks, today and on television tonight an issue in relation to evidence given to a committee has been raised which draws this place into some question so far as our constituents are concerned.

Today we supported a motion, absent one member, and the motion before the house prevailed and a decision was made. I know it is a member's right not to be here. You can take off any time. You do not have to be here, subject to the standing orders. But it does become more than a little ludicrous when we have to recommit the matter because the outcome does not suit.

Mr Quinlan drew on an important point earlier-that the government is prepared, in effect, to ridicule itself on this matter because it feels so vulnerable in relation to

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