Page 2124 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 15 August 2006
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I support the government’s decision on school closures. I support, as does the ALP as a party, where the controversial resolution was voted down. The party is united, the government is united, the cabinet is united. As much as members opposite do not like that, that is the way things are. We have an opposition that is wasting time, that is irrelevant to the community, and it needs to get on with it. I should not be giving the opposition advice about how to improve its performance because it is doing us quite well the way it is going at the moment. But just move on, get on with it, the issue is closed. The motion is incorrect. It should get its facts straight because the government is not in a position to support a motion which is factually incorrect to begin with. If the opposition wants to be successful with a no-confidence motion, if it wants to find something wrong with my performance as a minister, then get something substantial. Find something where I am not performing as a minister.
Mr Smyth: Hospital waiting lists.
MS GALLAGHER: Well, bring that back to the Assembly.
Mr Smyth: Mental health.
MS GALLAGHER: Bring that back to the Assembly.
Mr Smyth: I do all the time.
MS GALLAGHER: Well, bring it back as a no-confidence motion.
Mr Smyth: I do all the time.
MS GALLAGHER: If the member has matters of seriousness that he thinks warrant a want of confidence in my performance, bring it back here. He does not because he cannot. I take my job as a minister very seriously, as I said, and as an MLA very seriously. I will continue to work hard for the community but the motion before us today is a political stunt. It is a media stunt and it should be seen as simply that.
MR BARR (Molonglo—Minister for Education and Training, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation and Minister for Industrial Relations) (12.19): I move:
That the question be now put.
Mr Smyth: Coward.
Mrs Dunne: Coward.
Mr Corbell: On a point of order, Mr Speaker: you should ask Mr Smyth to withdraw his call of coward against Mr Barr. It is highly unparliamentary of both Mr Smyth and Mrs Dunne.
MR SPEAKER: It is uncalled for but I am not going to ask for that to be withdrawn. It is just provocative language that we just do not need, as is the interjection. The interjection was disorderly.
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