Page 201 - Week 01 - Wednesday, 16 February 2011
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We will stand with Mrs Dunne and back her efforts to the hilt because she has done what a member in this place should do, Mr Speaker. That is, she has stood up for the vulnerable and the voiceless. Mr Corbell said: “We’re going to back the commissioner. We do not have any evidence.” There is plenty of contrary evidence that says he should not. He did not mention anything about the staff member who has been compromised in this case. There was no mention of that. That is when power gets corrupted, when we simply look to defend our own interests. That is what this minister is doing in this case.
This is a dishonest amendment. It should not be supported. It reflects poorly on this minister. It reflects poorly on the Attorney-General of the ACT. His actions are the only ones here that are worthy of censure. His actions are worthy of censure, not Mrs Dunne’s. I stand by what Mrs Dunne has done. She will not be cowed by the dishonesty of Mr Corbell, by these dishonest motions and by these dishonest attacks. She will continue to fight for these people, regardless of whether or not the Greens fall in behind their mates and regardless of whether or not the Labor Party fall in behind their mates. She will fight for them and the Liberal Party in this place will do it. We will do it come what may. We will do it regardless of what the Greens and the Labor Party and their alliance seek to do in shutting this down. We will not be silenced. I commend Mrs Dunne for her motion and for her work in raising these issues and continuing to fight for these people.
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) (4.03): Firstly, can I just affirm my confidence in the Children and Young People Commissioner and the review of the Bimberi Youth Justice Centre. The Attorney-General, as we have heard, has reviewed the claims made by Mrs Dunne and he is satisfied that Mr Roy was acting in good faith and with professionalism at all times. I have confidence in Mr Roy heading up this inquiry and in his ability to talk with all stakeholders with an interest in Bimberi. I have confidence in him, the human rights commissioner and the team.
I must say that I was disappointed, but somewhat not surprised, at how Mrs Dunne has conducted herself in relation to this matter. I will first point out, Mrs Dunne, that it is a bit hard in your motion to withdraw support for something when you never supported it to start off with. There is no stronger indication that the Canberra Liberals do not support Mr Roy or an inquiry under the Human Rights Act than the fact that they voted against it, Mr Speaker. The opposition voted against Mr Roy conducting this inquiry. They did not support him and they did not support the review from the get-go, and this has been further to her behaviour over the last few weeks.
Mrs Dunne, if you were so concerned about this matter, I question why you first went to the media before you wrote to the Attorney-General. You were so concerned, Mrs Dunne, that you went to the Canberra Times and told them of your concerns, informing them that you would be writing—rather than that you had written. So first and foremost, in response to upholding the integrity of this place, you do not come to this place and you do not go to the Attorney-General. You go to a good media outlet, Mrs Dunne. In my book that is not the action of a concerned parliamentarian. That is a
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