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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2001 Week 6 Hansard (13 June) . . Page.. 1588 ..

Mr Berry: That he has not spoken? We know that.

MR SPEAKER: That he has a right to speak to his suspension motion. If it is anybody's fault, it is the chair's fault, that's all.

Mr Berry: I think he will have to get leave at this point. Just seek leave, Gary and we will give it to you.

Mr Humphries: Mr Speaker, I am sorry but I do not believe I need to seek leave to speak to my own motion.

Mr Berry: Yes you do.

Mr Humphries: It is my entitlement under standing orders.

MR SPEAKER: I do not want to argue this point. I am prepared to allow Mr Humphries to speak. Proceed.

Mr Wood: With leave.

MR HUMPHRIES (Chief Minister, Minister for Community Affairs and Treasurer) (11.55): Thank you, Mr Speaker. I do not need leave. I am entitled to speak without leave.

Mr Wood: We give you leave.

MR SPEAKER: Order please! I will not have argument. We have a lot of work to do today.

Mr Berry: Well, stay awake lads.

MR SPEAKER: Indeed.

MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Speaker, I have moved this motion to suspend standing orders because I believe it is important for the Assembly to have in front of it the views of all members of the Estimates Committee. I understand from members of the Liberal Party who were serving on that committee that a meeting of the Estimates Committee was held on the Friday, the last day on which the report was due to be delivered, and that an extremely short period of time was provided for Mr Hird and Mrs Burke to be able to produce a dissenting report to this estimates report.

As a result, a very short report indeed was produced, and members can see that at the end of the document which has been tabled today. However, I am told that it was perfectly plain to all the members of the Estimates Committee that a more substantive dissenting comment would be made by the members of the Estimates Committee who did not agree with the majority view.

Mr Hargreaves: At the last minute.

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