Page 5273 - Week 12 - Thursday, 28 October 2010
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MR RATTENBURY: Mr Seselja is now shouting out that it was my first suggestion. Let us just come back to my recollection of those events. As members know, I was involved on behalf of the Greens on working on this legislation with the opposition. I recall that we had quite some conversations about what was the right kind of review mechanism, whether we wanted one person, whether we wanted a panel and what style of people might be suitable for that panel.
We talked around it. I am going to stand here and say it. I did mention Mr Hull’s name—
Opposition members interjecting—
MR RATTENBURY: and the reason—now listen to the facts: we talked about the type of people that would be suitable for this kind of role. I said, “I could imagine somebody like Crispin Hull would be suitable with an academic background, experience in the media and a good understanding of ACT politics.”
I have no embarrassment about walking in here and saying that I made that observation in private conversations to Mr Seselja and his staff. How he then becomes my candidate for a publicly advertised position is extraordinary. Let us hear Mr Seselja’s little conspiracy theory on that because I would love to know what it is. I can stand here in this chamber and say that I have never, ever spoken to Mr Hull about this matter.
The only time I mentioned Mr Hull’s name was in a private conversation with Mr Seselja and he has turned that into a conspiracy theory about Mr Hull being my preferred appointment.
Mr Seselja: We can see why you are defending so hard—
MR ASSISTANT SPEAKER: Mr Seselja, that is the last time I will ask you.
MR RATTENBURY: I am not sure what Mr Seselja has been smoking but frankly I do not know who should be more offended by the suggestion—
Mr Seselja: Mr Assistant Speaker—
MR ASSISTANT SPEAKER: Mr Rattenbury! Resume your seat please, Mr Seselja. Mr Rattenbury, I think you can withdraw that comment about Mr Seselja. That was a pejorative comment about a member. I would ask you to withdraw it.
MR RATTENBURY: I withdraw, Mr Assistant Speaker. The thing I am unsure about is who should be more offended by the suggestion that Mr Hull is some sort of stooge of the Greens. Frankly, I know that on various occasions Mr Hull has written some articles in the Canberra Times that have been quite critical of the Greens. I suspect on occasions he has given us some credit for some good ideas. That is what I expect journalists to do.
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