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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 8 Hansard (20 August) . . Page.. 2988 ..

MR STANHOPE (continuing):

In that context I jocularly suggested that, perhaps as a plant-I had not determined at that stage who might have planted him there-he was operating as a mole within the Liberal Party espousing extreme left-wing views on industrial relations and the rights of workers. In fact, he was proposing a position contrary to that pursued by no less than Peter Reith, Tony Abbott and the entire federal Liberal Party in terms of the industrial relations legislation they have foisted upon the people of Australia.

I did, indeed, refer to Mr Pratt as a mole, and I did go on to say that it was a role in which he has some experience. I do not know what Mr Pratt has drawn from that jocular interjection-to the extent that he wants me to take this outside this place-but it was jocular. It was in reference to these extreme left-wing views, which the Liberal Party of the ACT is now presenting in relation to industrial relations.

I will conclude by saying that, over the last year or so, one of our local commercial television stations has been re-running James Bond movies on a Friday at midnight, and I often sprawl back on my couch and watch them. Last week it was The Spy Who Loved Me. I like James Bond. The movies go back 30 years or so, and I watch almost all of these replays of old James Bond movies, with 007, spies, double agents, moles-people who have been planted, often Russians, dusky, broad, thick, hairy and often a bit dull.

As I lie there late at night, often exhausted, I have to say that I enjoy these banal films. However, my enjoyment has been dampened recently. I do not know what does it, but often, as I am sprawled back on my couch at midnight on a Friday night watching replays of James Bond movies, I get this sudden, overpowering image of Steve Pratt.

I do not know what does it. I do not know what it is about spy movies that does this, but you can understand how it would destroy my late night entertainment. I can no longer watch a James Bond or a spy movie without quite dreadful images of Mr Pratt flooding into my mind. I say that by way of explanation. But, Mr Pratt, if you have been planted there, as a mole, to present a more friendly industrial relations face for the Liberal Party of the ACT, I am thankful. I am grateful that you are there, mole or not.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

The Assembly adjourned at 6.53 pm.

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