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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2001 Week 9 Hansard (22 August) . . Page.. 3166 ..

MR BERRY (continuing):

to a question on the same subject. Mr Speaker, Mr Humphries also tried to draw some connection between alleged unlawful behaviour at Williamsdale quarry and the events surrounding the VITAB affair and me. There was never any allegations of unlawfulness around the VITAB affair, and I was cleared on two occasions by inquiries established under the Inquiries Act. Mr Humphries can't say that for himself.

Mr Humphries then said:

First, Mr Speaker, I never asserted Mr Berry broke the law, even though he's just now, by what he's just said, asserted that I have again-yet again. Mr Speaker, and I think, Mr Speaker-in fact I think I've reached the point where in light of the continuing this allegation I think that it's quite improper under standing orders to allege the member has broken the law, particularly when the member has actually produced clear legal advice that it hasn't occurred, and I ask therefore Mr Berry to withdraw the allegation.

Well, from those words, Mr Speaker, you can see that I never said that. I will go on reading. I quote:

MR SPEAKER: Very well.

Mr Berry: Well, I'm happy to look at the Hansard-

MR SPEAKER: Personal reflections, all imputations of improper motives, all personal reflections on members should be considered highly disorderly.

Mr Berry: But reflections on the government are not.

MR SPEAKER: I don't know that you reflected on the government. I think you reflected on the Chief Minister.

Well, I do not know that that is the case from those words earlier quoted, Mr Speaker. The report continues, and now we get to the important part:

MR HUMPHRIES: You said I broke the law.

Clearly, I never. Then I asked the question:

Mr Berry: When did I say that?

MR HUMPHRIES: You said repeatedly.

Clearly, when you look at the words, I never said it at all, let alone repeatedly. Let me continue:

MR SPEAKER: Look, withdrawal has been asked for.

Mr Berry: Yes, but something has got to have been made first of all, Mr Speaker. I'm happy to look at the Hansard and if I've made any imputations that Mr Humphries is an unlawful character then I'll withdraw them, but I'm going to have a look at the Hansard first.

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