Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 7 Hansard (10 July) . . Page.. 2453 ..

MR KAINE (continuing):

operating in the way that we intended when we set it up in the first place? Is it too much the puppet of the minister, when it was intended to be an independent authority, not subject to day-to-day ministerial direction? Do members of the board look at matters independently of the government or do they scurry across to the minister's office every time they look at something and ask, "What do you think about this, boss?"

I do not know the answers to those questions, but I think that we are entitled to ask them. To suggest that Ms Tucker is somehow conducting some vendetta against members of the board is totally unacceptable. When people use that sort of attack to head something off at the pass, you have to wonder whether there is something there that needs to be looked at. I intend to support Ms Tucker's amendment because I, too, would like to see the answers to the questions in light of the nature of the discussion in this place this evening.

MS TUCKER (5.44): I would like to respond to a couple of the comments by Mr Rugendyke. I also find it rather unusual that he has suddenly decided to go for me personally and say that I am conducting a vendetta. I am asking about particular issues of process as a result of this report being tabled. I do not know quite how the standing orders work in this respect, but I would like to ask for Mr Rugendyke to withdraw that remark. Can I do that at this point, Mr Speaker?

MR SPEAKER: It was not unparliamentary.

Mr Humphries: Mr Speaker, it has to be unparliamentary language and I do not think that it was exactly unparliamentary.

MR SPEAKER: No, it was not an unparliamentary remark, Ms Tucker.

Mr Humphries: It is a matter for debate as to whether it is true.

MS TUCKER: I do not go in for vendettas, even if you do. I would have thought that it would be impugning someone's character to say that.

Mr Humphries: Ms Tucker is telling us that she does not go in for personal vendettas, but she is now using personal language about other members. I do not think that there is any basis for withdrawing it, because it is not a matter that can be described as being unparliamentary.

MS TUCKER: You think "vendetta" is fine. Okay, I understand.

MR SPEAKER: It doesn't indicate that you were engaged in some unacceptable activity. I have to be a bit flexible.

MS TUCKER: That is fine. You can have vendettas, but you cannot say "bullshit" under Mr Rugendyke's standards.

MR SPEAKER: Order!

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .