Page 1706 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 1 April 2009
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needed to combat organised crime by bikie gangs. There is not this mad rush, this urgent need, today—no greater need for instant action today than there was a month ago or six months ago. That is why we should, as a parliament, do the right thing—not, in the minds of the Liberal Party, the obvious thing. We should assess the facts, consider our options, stop playing crass, populist politics with a complex issue, and support the motion that Mr Corbell proposes today.
MR SMYTH (Brindabella) (5.11): It is amazing how quickly those who directed former governments to do things forget about their own actions. We have the sanctimonious approach of the government in this place today—how dreadful it is for Mr Hanson and the Liberals to direct the government to do something—when it is exactly what they did when it suited their purposes. And it is Mr Corbell who sits there, and Mr Stanhope who flees the chamber, who forget.
I read from the minutes of proceedings of the Fourth Assembly, 2000. There are a couple of good examples in 2000. In 2000, the Assembly “directs the government to appoint a board of inquiry”—directs action, directs a minister to go and do something that he did not want to do. He indicated he did not want to do it; he would do it in his own way, in his own time.
Mr Corbell was part of the Labor opposition who directed the government to do something. How quickly they forget and how hypocritical it is in this place today to say that Mr Hanson cannot do the same. That was Mr Wood. Mr Wood directed the Assembly to have an inquiry. Later Mr Hargreaves moved that this Assembly “directs the government”. It is precedent. It has happened in this place. It was done on the votes and the votes said, “Government, go and do what the Assembly tells you to do or suffer the consequence.” But there we are, we forget.
Mr Corbell: But you were gutless. You were gutless.
MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Mrs Dunne): Mr Corbell, withdraw that.
Mr Corbell: I will withdraw it if Mr Smyth withdraws the claim of hypocrisy.
MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER: No, you will follow the direction of the chair and you will withdraw “gutless”.
Mr Corbell: Madam Assistant Speaker, I withdraw and I ask you to direct Mr Smyth to withdraw the claim of hypocrite.
MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER: Did you use the word “hypocrite”, Mr Smyth?
MR SMYTH: I used “hypocrisy” but I did not name any member.
MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER: Using “hypocrisy” in general terms is something that you do on a regular basis, Mr Corbell.
Mr Corbell: He claimed that I was a hypocrite and I ask you to ask him to withdraw.
MR SMYTH: I did not name you specifically.
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