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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2001 Week 9 Hansard (22 August) . . Page.. 3201 ..

MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Speaker, I have withdrawn the assertion that Mr Berry claimed had been made-that Labor Party members were on the take. I made no such assertion, but in the interests of Mr Berry's sensibilities I withdrew. But I have not withdrawn, and I will not withdraw, the argument that you people have a conflict of interest. It is there. It is patent. It is on the record. You have it. Mr Speaker, I am not withdrawing it. It is not contrary to standing orders.

Mr Hargreaves: Mr Speaker, on the point of order: Mr Humphries has withdrawn the imputation that the Labor Party had a conflict of interest. The Hansard will show that Mr Humphries said directly that I personally have a conflict of interest. That is what I want withdrawn.

MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Speaker, I maintain that it is not a breach of standing orders. Each of the members of the Labor Party derive direct benefit in their election to this place from substantial amounts of money from the licensed clubs of the ACT-several hundred thousand dollars a year from that source.

Mr Berry: Mr Humphries just suggested that I receive several hundred thousand dollars. He said "each of the members".

MR SPEAKER: We have had this out before.

Mr Berry: I challenge Mr Humphries to move a motion excluding the Labor Party from voting on the basis of their conflict of interest. I challenge you. Move it.

MR HUMPHRIES: I think that your consciences are the things that need to be examined, Mr Berry. If you choose to come into this place-

Mr Berry: Move the motion, son.

MR HUMPHRIES: I can't. I do not have the power to exclude any member of this place from casting a vote.

Mr Berry: Well, shut up then.

MR HUMPHRIES: I do not know what your problem is, Mr Berry, but I want to put some facts on the table in relation to this matter, if I may be allowed to.

Mr Hargreaves: Mr Speaker, on the point of order: I have asked you to direct the Chief Minister to withdraw the accusation made about my personal conflict of interest.

MR SPEAKER: We have had this out before.

Mr Hargreaves: I want the ruling.

MR SPEAKER: Just a moment. We have made the point that if you refer to the opposition or the government as hypocrites each man or woman can stand up and say, "I am personally offended by that and I seek a withdrawal."

Mr Hargreaves: That is not the issue.

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