Page 2467 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 17 June 2009
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the committee. That is at the heart of this issue. He thumbed his nose at the Assembly, he thumbed his nose at the estimates committee, he put himself above the Assembly and above scrutiny, and now we know why. We know it is because his argument was so weak and so indefensible that he was not prepared to be subject to scrutiny. He was not prepared to be subject to questions in a committee.
It is a serious matter, Mr Speaker. The government may not take it seriously, but the Assembly should. The Assembly should take this issue seriously because if we do not take action and if we do not have a strong response to the minister’s refusal and the minister’s utter contempt, as expressed by the committee, if we do not take a strong stance on that, we will get more of this. I guarantee that we will get more of this. It will not just be the planning minister; it will be all the ministers showing contempt for the Assembly.
It is time the Assembly stood up and said that we will not accept this kind of behaviour. We will keep ministers to high standards. We will keep them accountable. That is why this censure motion should be supported. I commend the motion to the Assembly.
MR BARR (Molonglo—Minister for Education and Training, Minister for Children and Young People, Minister for Planning and Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation) (2.57): It goes without saying that the government will not be supporting this motion as moved by Mr Seselja. I think it is worth exploring each of the issues that Mr Seselja has raised in his presentation today. It is worth noting that, yes, on behalf of the estimates committee, he did write to me on 2 June. And I responded, at which point I said:
As you aware, this decision is made in accordance with Section 158 of the Planning and Development Act … It is the first step in a process under the Act which requires that I make a number of decisions over coming days and weeks. I am concerned that any hearing of the committee to “discuss the process”—
which is what I was invited to do—
would inevitably anticipate the issues presently before me for decision under the Act. Therefore I do not think it appropriate for me to appear before the committee at this time.
My appearance before the committee at this time would also inevitably risk politicising the planning process.
That is very clearly the case, Mr Speaker, given the response that we have seen. I said:
As you know, I am determined to keep politics out of planning.
I am aware that my colleague the Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Health … has indicated that she will be available to appear before the Committee.
That was a reference to the committee inquiring into the territory budget. If there is now going to be a requirement in this place for committees to cross-examine ministers
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