Page 558 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 24 February 2010

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Mr Seselja: What a hypocrite!

MR CORBELL: Mr Speaker, I would ask that Mr Seselja withdraw that.

Mr Seselja: I withdraw, Mr Speaker.

MR CORBELL: Thank you, Mr Speaker. That is what they have failed to grasp. There is precedence. The member making the allegation should not be a member of the privileges committee. It is that simple.

Of course, the Liberal Party has also failed to recognise that in the House of Representatives there is effectively a standing committee of privileges. There is a standing membership. Therefore, there needs to be a mechanism for members to be excused should they, themselves, bring an allegation around an issue of privilege or contempt. That is what House of Representatives Practice quite clearly sets out.

The Liberal Party has had the opportunity to show some good grace this morning, to recognise that they made a mistake, to recognise that the nomination of Mrs Dunne was grossly improper. They have failed in that test this morning and the government will be asking that the question be divided. We will not be supporting Mrs Dunne’s nomination for this committee. At the closure of that, should the Assembly agree with our position, I will be moving a motion inviting the opposition to nominate a member other than Mrs Dunne to sit on this committee. Mr Speaker, I ask that the question be divided by each member.

Ordered that the question be divided.

Question put:

That Mr Barr be appointed as a member of the Select Committee on Privileges 2010.

The Assembly voted—

Question so resolved in the affirmative.

MR SPEAKER: The question now is that Ms Bresnan be appointed as a member of the Select Committee on Privileges 2010.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

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