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

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2001 Week 10 Hansard (30 August) . . Page.. 3899 ..

MR SMYTH (continuing):

But no longer he contented with a crossbench role presented

With decision much lamented into Ministry has he went.

As they protest, choice resented, Liberal Party rooms he entered,

Policies he reinvented, from within their party's door,

Health and housing, youth and prisons, these he took and several

more,

held upon their Chamber floor.

Much at question time they marvelled now to hear response so

garbled,

Though its answer little meaning-little relevancy bore;

For we cannot help agreeing that no living human being

Ever yet was blessed with seeing independents on this Chamber floor-

On this bench of governmental office on this noble Chamber floor,

With such name as Michael Moore.

"Traitor!" said they, "thing of evil!-Liberal still, if bird or devil!-

Whether Tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore."

Desolate yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted-

By this Opposition haunted-"Tell us truly," they implore-

"Is there-is there any future for you-tell us, we implore!"

Quoth the Minister, "For sure".

"Turncoat!" said they, "thing of evil!-Liberal still, if bird or devil!

By that Heaven that bends above us-by that God we (most!) adore."

Controversy sparking, Members barking out their call for him to go

Berry, Kaine-each one concurring- "Force him from our Chamber

floor!

Silence him, or force him out, far beyond our Chamber floor!

We've had enough of Michael Moore."

"Stop your endless, pointless, bleating", cried the Speaker, speaking

rulings on the Standing Orders, order trying to restore.

"Beat it, hit it", called out Berry, "Hit it now and evermore,

Hit it with the Standing Orders, till it troubles us no more!

Till it flies out from our Chamber, far beyond our Chamber floor!

Quit this place and come no more!"

"Be that word our sign of parting, foe or friend!", he cried, upstarting-

"Get me to the private sector, or some cushy public role!

Leave no motion as a token of that malice thou hath spoken!

Leave my loneliness unbroken!-quit me from your Chamber floor!

Take they words from out my heart, and stand me on your Chamber

floor-"

quoth the Member: "Nevermore".

And the Chamber-as is fitting-still is sitting, still is sitting,

With the pallid row of statutes just above their Chamber floor;

And their eyes have all the seeming of a sleeper that is dreaming,

And the lamp-light o'er them streaming throws a shadow on the floor;

And their ears from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor

Hear no longer Michael Moore.

Thanks to Malcolm Baalman and apologies to Edgar Allen Poe.

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