Page 713 - Week 02 - Thursday, 10 March 2011
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MR HARGREAVES: Very difficult it is, and I do not wish to raise my voice because I do not think I should have to. Mr Speaker, there is an underlying implication and a suggestion here that a government non-executive member cannot act as an impartial parliamentarian on a committee of this place.
I might remind people that the treasury bench, if you like, is occupied by different parties over different times and there will come a day when one of you, or your parties at least, will occupy this side of the house, and I have to tell you, I think I shall—
Members interjecting—
MR SPEAKER: Order! Thank you, members.
Opposition members interjecting—
MR SPEAKER: Order!
Mr Barr interjecting—
MR SPEAKER: Mr Barr, thank you.
MR HARGREAVES: I will, in fact, come back from the dead to congratulate them, I have to tell you, because that is how long it is going to take. It is going to take a very long time and I look forward to the grandchildren of those people over there—
Members interjecting—
MR SPEAKER: Thank you, members.
MR HARGREAVES: being at least reasonable in this notion that I am trying seriously to put to the chamber. It is a rank insult to the whole lot of us to suggest—
Mr Barr interjecting—
MR SPEAKER: Thank you. I think the joke has been prosecuted. Mr Hargreaves.
MR HARGREAVES: I think it is a rank insult to the whole lot of the members in this place to suggest that any one of us could not act as an impartial chair. I remind those opposite particularly to go back and have a look at the performances of government chairs of various committees over the time that I have been in this place.
I do not support Ms Bresnan’s amendment. I would rather see the committee do its own thing and then it would be done on a negotiated basis amongst five equal parliamentarians on that committee. I would like to ask Ms Bresnan to reconsider putting that part of her motion forward because I really do not think it is appropriate.
Question put:
That Mr Corbell’s amendment be agreed to.
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