Page 1025 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 30 March 2011
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Opposition members interjecting—
MR ASSISTANT SPEAKER: Order!
MR CORBELL: Is that what they are suggesting, Mr Assistant Speaker?
MR ASSISTANT SPEAKER: Order! Minister, please resume your seat. Stop the clock. Members of the opposition will desist and I caution members of the opposition about the quality of their interjections. The minister in fact said a moment ago that this inquiry is not corrupted. Mrs Dunne, you indicated across the chamber that it was corrupted by the minister and I will ask you now to stand and withdraw that comment.
Mrs Dunne: I am not entirely sure I said it; if that is what you think I said I withdraw it, Mr Assistant Speaker, but I will check the record.
MR ASSISTANT SPEAKER: Mrs Dunne, this is not a negotiation.
Mrs Dunne: I’ve withdrawn it.
MR ASSISTANT SPEAKER: You withdraw it or you do not—no qualifications, full stop.
Mrs Dunne: I’ve withdrawn it.
MR ASSISTANT SPEAKER: Good. Now I am cautioning you. I am going to be very vigilant about those sorts of things.
Mr Smyth interjecting—
MR ASSISTANT SPEAKER: Mr Smyth, please do not invite me to warn you. I do not want to do it, so please do not invite me to do it. Minister, the floor is yours.
MR CORBELL: Thank you, Mr Assistant Speaker. Are those opposite suggesting that officers of the Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services are deliberately seeking to breach the provisions of the Human Rights Commission Act?
Mr Smyth interjecting—
MR ASSISTANT SPEAKER: Order!
MR CORBELL: Is that what they are suggesting? The fact is that, if such an offence has been committed, there are protections in relation to those individuals giving evidence—
Opposition members interjecting—
MR CORBELL: and the matter can be investigated through the appropriate channels by the commission and with reference to the appropriate authorities if that is indeed what is required. But the government is confident—
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