Page 4002 - Week 09 - Thursday, 26 August 2010
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One day one of her staff, or Mr Stanhope even, must have told her—and I imagine it was early this year or just before Christmas—“You’ve got to pick up your act. You’ve got to start reading your briefs. You’ve got to start getting on top of things.” And, to her credit, nobody knows that ministerial folder like she does. She is totally across it. She can turn to the page of any issue extremely quickly. But we want a minister who actually has judgement and who actually assesses the situation. We do not just want someone who reads out dot points. We might as well get a computer to do that because it would do a better job. We want a minister who casts judgement on situations and makes informed decisions.
There is a pattern of behaviour here, whether it is not answering questions, whether it is not reading reports, whether it is not correcting the records on simple issues, whether it is bullying or whether it is mishandling situations like the Flynn school or the Gumnut childcare centre. Even people in the ALP and the ministry are disappointed about how this minister is handling herself.
I gave her opportunities to correct the record and it is indeed disappointing that she has not taken them up. I told her on Tuesday that I did not think she had adequately corrected the record. She could have corrected the record there and then. Instead, she arrogantly told me that it was pretty much my fault—it was my fault. Then yesterday nothing happened in this place. She had the opportunity to clarify the record. She did not do so. So yesterday afternoon we sent a letter to Ms Burch:
After reviewing the clarification by you in writing and your statement in the Chamber on the 24th of August in relation to the completion of older person’s accommodation, the Opposition considers that you have still not sufficiently corrected the statements you originally made in the Chamber on the 19th of August.
I sent her this letter yesterday afternoon. She got this in her inbox at about 4 or 4.30. The Assembly did not rise until 9.30. This was delivered at 4.30 yesterday afternoon. She had the opportunity. I asked her to withdraw, without qualification, as the first item of business on 26 August. She has had plenty of time to correct the record. It is extremely disappointing that she has not done so.
The contempt that she shows this place—the disrespect she shows her colleagues and all members of this place—is extremely disappointing and indicative of how she treats her role as a minister in this place. I think it is important that Ms Burch steps up, that she does not put on this show of arrogance because she wants to look like a strong leader. It is more important that she actually corrects the record.
The only time ministers from this government correct the record is when we put pressure on them to do so. There is no commitment from these ministers to stand up for integrity and make sure the record is true and accurate. Ms Burch has had the opportunity correct the record. She has not done so. It is for that reason that it is unavoidable that we have had to move this motion of censure.
MS BURCH (Brindabella—Minister for Disability, Housing and Community Services, Minister for Children and Young People, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Minister for Women) (10.15): Just to be clear, the letter from Mr Coe I received when I left the caucus room this morning at quarter to 10. I
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