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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 5 Hansard (9 May) . . Page.. 1448 ..

MRS DUNNE (continuing):

visionary or reformer, but as a political thug, who makes disparaging remarks about a man who, through a terrible, life-threatening accident, is forced to walk on sticks.

Is this to be Mr Latham's epitaph? It is a pity, and Australia will be the poorer. Will he be remembered as a man who kicks cripples, a man who stoops to attacking a man of courage and decency, who lives each and every day in acute pain and extreme discomfort? It is sad to see Mr Quinlan so ready and willing to laud this deplorably low act in Australian public life.

Commonwealth Parliamentary Association

MR CORNWELL (4.37): Mr Speaker, I refer to an ongoing debate in relation to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. Ms Tucker, in response to some remarks I made on Tuesday night, responded last night with a statement on which I am seeking clarification.

She stated in her response that the regional representatives-Ms Tucker is one-shall maintain close liaison with the branches of the region and consult with the branches of the region, keeping them informed of developments within the association, and carrying out responsibilities in accordance with the by-laws. The by-laws stipulate certain specific responsibilities for regional representatives to liaise with branches of the region.

I raise that to clarify my role. I will be reporting to all branches of the Australian region, as well as to the region's management committee in July. That reporting could include the ACT branch.

I am not clear as to whether the reporting will be carried out only at the region's management committee in July or whether the responsibility of regional representatives, in maintaining close liaison with the branches in the region, involves reporting to the individual branches of that region. I seek clarification of that matter-not necessarily today or tonight but, I would hope, at next Tuesday's sitting.

Treasurer-bet with the Leader of the Opposition

MR QUINLAN (Treasurer, Minister for Economic Development, Business and Tourism, Minister for Sport, Racing and Gaming and Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Corrections) (4.39): Mr Speaker, I rise to inform the house that I do owe Mr Humphries a bottle of cheap red.

We were debating the increase in conveyancing. It has increased by some $40 million over budget. My mistake lies in the fact that I was working only from 2 October figures, because already the past government had taken up $20 million of it. However, a bet is a bet, and I will pay. It has also been diluted by some decreases in estimated payroll tax. The estimate for next year is considerably lower than the estimate for this year. On the words used, I do owe a bottle of cheap red.

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