Page 3968 - Week 09 - Wednesday, 25 August 2010
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What exactly was their platform? What was the Greens’ platform at the last election? What was it? I think I may have heard some words about accountability, but again they accept the government’s word. When the government is so pleased with your amendments and your motions, you have got to ask whether you are asking hard enough questions. If you accept every bit of information provided to you, you are not doing your job. You may as well be part of the government. If you want to be part of the government, be part of the government: defend the government; accept everything the government says and be part of it. Otherwise, as members of the Assembly, it is our job to question, it is our job to probe and it is our job to say, “Put the facts on the table.”
The record of this minister on this issue has been one of hiding the information right the way through—right the way through. We are saying that maybe now it is time for a bit of transparency on this issue. Maybe it would be reasonable, but given that she has botched it so badly by hiding things and given that she came perilously close to wasting $77 million of taxpayers’ money on this issue, maybe in the light of day, rather than us just accepting whatever this minister serves up, it might be a good idea. It might actually improve this process. It might help avoid future errors, future stuff-ups that potentially affect taxpayers.
We will not be supporting this amendment. We will not be supporting Ms Gallagher’s amendment and we will not be supporting Ms Bresnan’s amendment. Ms Gallagher’s amendment is obvious. She is the minister; she is looking for the least scrutiny she can get. That is what it is. The Greens’ amendment unfortunately is in exactly the same vein. What their motivation is I will leave to others to judge.
Question put:
That Ms Gallagher’s amendment to Ms Bresnan’s proposed amendment be agreed to.
The Assembly voted—
|
Ayes 9 |
Noes 5 | ||
|
Mr Barr |
Ms Hunter |
Mr Coe | |
|
Ms Bresnan |
Ms Le Couteur |
Mr Doszpot | |
|
Ms Burch |
Ms Porter |
Mrs Dunne | |
|
Mr Corbell |
Mr Stanhope |
Mr Hanson | |
|
Ms Gallagher |
Mr Seselja | ||
Question so resolved in the affirmative.
Question put:
That Ms Bresnan’s amendment, as amended, be agreed to.
The Assembly voted—
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