Page 2667 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 23 June 2009
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
they come in and criticise the government for not properly funding the Auditor-General, but they do not support the funding that is proposed for the Auditor-General. In fact, their vote would be to not support any funding for the Auditor-General; that would be their position. Their position would be: “We don’t support any funding for the Auditor-General.”
They do not have the courage of their convictions, Mr Speaker. They are very proud to go out publicly. Mr Seselja has probably just done a whole series of media interviews about how tough and principled he is being in opposing the budget, but when it comes to the first test in this debate—and that is why we vote on it line by line, members; there is a reason why we vote on it line by line: so that members—
Mrs Dunne: We debate it line by line.
MR CORBELL: No; the question is put line by line in this place so that members can express whether or not they support each and every single appropriation unit. That is why it is done. These guys over here, these so-called principled Liberals, are not prepared to show the fundamental principle, the courage of their conviction, and say, “We don’t think this is adequate and we’re not voting for it.” That is the gutless approach by the Liberal Party. They are not even prepared to allow a call of the Assembly on this matter.
The Greens are once again letting the Liberals off the hook. And for what reason? “This motion is going to take a bit of time.” They have not seen anything yet in the budget debate, Mr Speaker; they have not seen anything yet.
Mr Speaker, why not permit members to put their votes on the record? Why not? What is wrong with that?
Ms Gallagher: A bit of accountability, a bit of scrutiny.
MR CORBELL: What is wrong with a bit of accountability? What is wrong with a bit of putting your views on the record and voting according to your views? I know it is a radical concept. It is a radical concept for the Liberal Party to vote according to their view. They are not prepared to do that.
From this point forward, we have confirmation that this is opposition for opposition’s sake from the Liberal Party. They do not have the courage of their convictions to stand up and vote in the way that their speeches suggest they should vote, which is in favour of funding for the Auditor-General. Shame on them, Mr Speaker.
Question put:
That so much of the standing and temporary orders be suspended so as to require a vote of the Assembly to be taken on the question—That the proposed expenditure be agreed to.
The Assembly voted—
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .