Page 2650 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 28 June 2011
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As we wait for a response from the Canberra Liberals and the Leader of the Opposition on these questions, I do remind members of the words Mr Seselja recently used in a media release to unfairly describe the ACT’s policy on solar feed-in tariff:
This is a reverse Robin Hood policy—where money is taken from the poor to subsidise the rich.
I find this the height of hypocrisy, the Canberra Liberals’ $10,000, when you compare that to Karinya House getting $2,000, Abbeyfield society $1,200, ACT Deafness Resource Centre, $2,400. It is an absolute shame that those over there know no moral bounds. The fund that was targeted to those most in need—(Time expired.)
MR SPEAKER: Mr Hanson, a supplementary question?
MR HANSON: Minister, is it morally appropriate for political parties to receive hundreds of thousands of dollars from the proceeds of gambling?
Mr Hargreaves: Mr Speaker, on a point of order, my question was specifically about the support for volunteers grant program—quite specifically.
Mr Hanson: Mr Speaker, on the point of order, Mr Hargreaves’s question was specifically in regard to the moral appropriateness of payments to political parties, including grants for projects but particularly in relation to community payments. In her answer, Ms Burch has talked about political parties and the appropriateness of political parties receiving certain payments and its appropriateness in terms of morals. I think it is entirely within order, given the context of the question, for the minister to answer in that way.
MR SPEAKER: There is no point of order.
MS BURCH: I thank Mr Hanson for the opportunity, again, to outline that these funds were targeted to those most in need.
MR SPEAKER: Minister Burch, Mr Hanson’s question was specific—he did not ask about the program.
MS BURCH: In the ongoing dialogue on this matter over the last couple of days, those opposite have sought to connect the Canberra Labor Club—
Mr Hanson: Mr Speaker, on a point of order, under standing order 118, the answer to a question without notice shall be concise and directly relevant. The question requires a very simple answer as to whether it is morally appropriate for the Labor Party to receive hundreds of thousands of dollars from the proceeds of gambling. It is a question that can be answered with a simple yes or no.
Mr Corbell: On the point of order, Mr Speaker, Minister Burch was turning her answer directly to the issue of the Canberra Labor Club. The Liberal Party have taken a point of order on that, but the supplementary specifically contained accusations about money received from gambling venues, in other words the Canberra Labor Club.
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