Page 3521 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 18 August 2010
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what was his policy on funding the non-government education sector and he would not answer. He did not even have the courage to go to his policy and tell people the truth. That is what you never get from the Greens—the full impact, the truth on what their policies will do to the ordinary people of Australia.
MRS DUNNE (Ginninderra) (3.21): I thank Mr Seselja for bringing forward this important motion in this important week that highlights so much that is lacking in policy formulation when we look at the Greens, so much that is lacking in relation to care and consideration for the average Australian.
Before I consider at length the issues that I wish to consider in this debate, which centre on childcare, I have to draw the house’s attention to the bizarre experience that we saw just before lunch. First of all, we saw this little interplay between you, Madam Assistant Speaker Le Couteur, and Mr Barr, to ensure that he got the call, which was pretty unedifying. Then we saw a very interesting display of the only economic rationalist in the Greens party. Mr Barr carried on as if he were a member of the Greens party. So he has gone from being a severe and critical—
Mr Rattenbury: On a point of order, Madam Assistant Speaker, I believe that Mrs Dunne has just questioned your independence as the chair. I would like her to clarify exactly what her point is. If she has complained about the conduct of the chair, she needs to move a substantive motion of complaint.
Mr Seselja: No, she was stating a fact. She was stating what she saw.
Mr Doszpot: Just stating a fact.
Ms Hunter: No, she has been nasty and rude.
Mr Rattenbury: On the point of order, to seek clarification, I think Mrs Dunne is impugning your motives and I think she needs to either withdraw or clarify what she is saying.
MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Ms Le Couteur): I am advised that it is in fact disorderly to reflect upon the chair; so, Mrs Dunne, I invite you to withdraw your reflections.
MRS DUNNE: Madam Assistant Speaker, there was no reflection on the chair.
Ms Hunter: Of course there was. It was damn clear.
MRS DUNNE: It was a statement of what happened in this place. Mr Barr essentially indicated to you that he wanted the call the next time and he got the call even though I was on my feet.
Mr Barr: I was on my feet before you—
MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER: Mrs Dunne, I invite you to withdraw your allegation.
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