Page 2112 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 15 August 2006
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MR HARGREAVES: In my view these two ministers have, with honesty and integrity, delivered good service to this place over an incredibly long time. How did those guys opposite get into the Labor Party conference, or are they relying as usual on the gospel according to the fourth estate? They do not recognise the animal that we enjoy called the Labor Party and its consultative process. Within that Labor Party family we have certain gatherings where we set down our position according to our consciences. The Labor Party does not govern this town; the Stanhope government governs this town.
Opposition members interjecting—
MR HARGREAVES: I would really love a packet of table tennis balls so that I can pop one down the mouths of all those clowns opposite that are attempting to interject. That would suit me down to the ground. This government has cabinet solidarity; it is absolutely cement solid. As the second newest member of cabinet I can tell members that there is always robust debate in cabinet. We put forward our case and at the end of the day we walk out of that cabinet room as one, not as a faction of seven, not like the seven dwarves, and not like the seven idiots looking for a village.
Members opposite are proponents extraordinaire in the art of hypocrisy. How can they talk about a lack of solidarity on this side of the chamber when their party is so fractured? How dare they have the temerity to come into this place and question the integrity of two of Mr Stanhope’s ministers? It beggars belief. There is nothing wrong with the track record of Mr Corbell as education minister and there is nothing wrong with the track record of Ms Gallagher. Their track record beats the track record of that bunch opposite.
Opposition members interjecting—
MR HARGREAVES: Opposition members should say that outside. They should also take photocopies of their houses. Ms Gallagher could do with another house.
Opposition members interjecting—
MR SPEAKER: Order!
MR HARGREAVES: Take Boy George and Zorro outside.
MR SPEAKER: Order, Mr Hargreaves! I ask the minister to resume his seat. I ask members to come to order. Mr Hargreaves has the call. Members of the opposition will cease interjecting.
MR HARGREAVES: This motion is nothing short of a stunt to get opposition members over their relevance deprivation. They moved a spurious motion, which states, “We note that all these things have been said.” So what! Big deal! They should dry their eyes and get over it. The motion states in part:
(2) expresses its want of confidence in Ms Gallagher and Mr Corbell for the reasons noted above.
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