Page 1017 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 25 February 2009
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bigger than that. I have no regrets about the emergence of this statue—none. Indeed, the litany of quotes that he put down here is so full of inaccuracies and untruths as to be laughable. But let us for a little bit of time set the record for those people who were not here. I notice that the three members of the Liberal Party who are here, excluding your good self, Madam Assistant Speaker, were not in the chamber when this debate raged last time. Clearly, therefore, I forgive them for not being aware of what went on.
Mr Doszpot says there is a groundswell of public opinion out there. Well, I have not felt it. I have been looking at the letters to the editor and I have seen, I think, about three to five or something of that order. That is not a groundswell; it is not.
Mr Hanson: They only publish a certain number, John.
MR HARGREAVES: I am not talking to you.
Mr Hanson: They don’t publish all—
MR HARGREAVES: Why don’t you just belt up! Why don’t you belt up!
MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER: Order! Mr Hargreaves, would you sit down, please. It probably would be a very good idea if members took a deep breath and, if there is an interjection, Mr Hargreaves will not go over the top and speak like that. But, in future, Mr Hargreaves, you address your comments through the chair, even if people do interject. I do not want to hear that sort of outburst again.
MR HARGREAVES: Madam Assistant Speaker, I thank you for your ruling. I shall, in fact, ask these people to be quiet, through you.
The issue around the statue is this. The building itself was the multicultural centre. The payment of the money, of $72,000, $75,000, was taken from the commissioning costs of that building. The whole building is around the issue of multicultural affairs, harmony. It is celebrating the abolition of the white Australia policy. If you go for a walk around the building, as Mr Doszpot has done, you will see those people who ordinarily in overseas situations would be at war with one another and they are not. That is why the centre is there.
The person whom history records in this country as kicking that off was Al Grassby. These people are perpetuating untruths against someone who is not here to defend himself. These people are saying that this man is connected with this and guilty of that, none of which has been proven. It has been cleared at court. That also, I have to say, is irrelevant to the process.
What do we recall people doing in their lives? There are many things for each of us. For some of us, we think these people are giants. For others of us, we do not like them. I, for example, have absolutely nothing but scorn and abject abhorrence for Bob Menzies, and yet there are statues around the country of this man because other people think he is a wonderful man and a giant in politics. Fine. But do I go around trying to find all the bad bits about him? No. I respect their view.
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