Page 1075 - Week 03 - Thursday, 26 February 2009
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this place, I explained to the standing committee why I believed I needed to take that appointment in that manner. That is not the action of a minister who has sought to hide his decision. It is not the action of a minister who has sought to undertake some sort of dead-of-the-night decision. It is the action of a minister who is prepared to bring to the immediate attention of members in this place why he believes he needs to take a particular decision.
Let us understand why the decision was taken. The decision was taken to make sure that two tribunals could continue to operate.
Mr Seselja: On such a simple matter, according to the minister, you’re spending a lot of time explaining it.
MR CORBELL: Indeed, it is a simple matter. What is concerning to me is why those opposite fail to understand how simple it is. I took this decision, I explained why I took this decision, I wrote to the Assembly explaining why I took this decision, and I did so consistent with advice given to me. That is pretty simple, but those opposite seem to fail to grasp it. On top of that, they have the gall to not only chastise me for that, but then, having chastised me for that, they fail to be part of the solution.
Mr Smyth: On a point of order, Madam Assistant Speaker: I draw your attention to the standing orders concerning tedious repetition. The minister has said this about four times now. If it was that simple to explain then perhaps he should explain it and sit down, but he is repeating himself constantly.
MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Ms Le Couteur): I do not think there is a point of order. I think Minister Corbell should be allowed to be heard in silence, members.
MR CORBELL: Thank you, Madam Assistant Speaker. That, I think, is the point of the matter here: they are refusing to be part of the solution. They are only interested in opposition for the sake of opposition. They are the classic oppositionist party. They have got no interest in solutions. They have got no interest in addressing the matters before them. Mrs Dunne in particular—all of them, but Mrs Dunne in particular—wants to sit there in her polished ivory tower and say: “I am perfect. I have never made a mistake. I am going to impose this principle of absolute purity in decision making that I expect everyone else to abide by at all times.” That is what Mrs Dunne wants. Of course—
Mrs Dunne: Have the courage to sit down and do good on your word.
Mr Coe: Upstairs, what are they thinking when they’re watching the TV now?
MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER: Members, Mr Corbell has the floor. Have you finished?
MR CORBELL: No, I have not.
Mrs Dunne: You haven’t? So you are going to run the clock out to half-past 12? I see.
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