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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 01 Hansard (Tuesday, 10 February 2004) . . Page.. 18 ..

an attempt to inform members of the community in some small way about the inquiry. I hardly think that exhorting people to help establish Aldi at the markets is informing somebody in a small way.

It is quite wrong for the chair of any committee to state publicly and in writing, “I am your champion. I will effect certain results, but you have to help me.” It is unacceptable for the chair of any committee to do so. Withdrawing from this inquiry might contribute to redressing the perception of bias. Letters were addressed to people who made submissions to this inquiry. Those letters, which were signed by all committee members, redressed that perception of bias. The media statement that was issued along the same lines also redressed that perception of bias. If anything, Mrs Dunne’s withdrawal from this inquiry will enhance that perception of bias.

Mrs Dunne said that the three other committee members were unlikely to be cowed by that. She is dead right: the three other committee members will not be cowed by anybody. However, members of the community do not know that. It is wrong to distribute a flyer that infers that the chair of a committee—a senior position—can effect a certain result because of his or her seniority or position.

I refer now to what Mrs Dunne said when she offered to withdraw from the inquiry. She said, “If there is a perception of bias and, judging from the reaction of three other members on this committee, it appears as though there is, I will withdraw from the inquiry.” Mrs Dunne did not state, “I acknowledge that there is a perception of bias.” I am not convinced that Mrs Dunne believed there was a perception of bias.

Mr Smyth: That is your problem.

MR HARGREAVES: Mr Smyth is wrong when he says that this government has a problem. We have problems in two areas: this Assembly has a problem and Mr Smyth has a problem because of the actions of one of his colleagues in the shadow ministry. Mr Smyth has a problem; I do not have a problem. (Extension of time granted.) What is Mrs Dunne’s perception of events? I believe it has now dawned on Mrs Dunne that there are two parts to this issue. The first is this inquiry, which we hope will be fixed, and the second is the contempt of this Assembly. It would be a good move on the part of Mrs Dunne to admit that.

I will conclude by referring to a comment made earlier by the Deputy Chief Minister. For the benefit of those who are likely to become members of the Select Committee on Privileges—

Mrs Dunne: Point of order, Mr Speaker: the member is out of order as he is attempting to influence those members who might be appointed to the committee.

MR SPEAKER: That is a fine point of order, Mrs Dunne. As I said earlier, it is a little hard not to stray across the line and to discuss issues that committee members might well discuss. I have asked members to try not to pre-empt the committee’s work. I make the same request of Mr Hargreaves.

MR HARGREAVES: Thank you, Mr Speaker. The Deputy Chief Minister said that Mrs Dunne has determined the gravity of the breaches that have occurred and she has

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