Page 291 - Week 01 - Thursday, 16 February 2012
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members’ business on Tuesday. You had private members’ day yesterday. Now you are seeking to have a third private members’ business for your feigned outrage at an individual’s comments in the adjournment debate.
If this is going to be the standard, we can go through all of the adjournment debates for the last three years and have a look at some of the outrageous things that members on your side of the chamber have said and we can no doubt move a series of motions about that. But this is getting ridiculous. What a time-wasting motion, to try to take up the Assembly’s business this morning! We have a matter to deal with about Kingston foreshore. I do not know whether you are trying to avoid dealing with that. Maybe that is your motive. But we understand your position. We heard it last night. We understand what Mr Smyth has said.
The views expressed by Mr Hargreaves were views he made as an individual. They are not views supported by the government. I meet regularly with Darryl Johnston. I think I have got a meeting coming up with him in another 10 days time. We value the input and advice that he and his team at the Tuggeranong Community Council provide on a range of matters, whether it be about planning in Tuggeranong or something else. I think one of the recent discussions we had was around air quality in Tuggeranong. We will continue those very good relationships with the Tuggeranong Community Council. But this should be seen for exactly what it is: just time wasting by the Liberals to avoid actually dealing with any of the serious business on the program today.
I have to say that Mr Smyth gave me a challenge about a test on standards. I am happy to be tested on standards in this place any time, Mr Smyth. I can tell you that my standards are much higher than any of yours over there. And I think we have seen in the last week displayed quite publicly the standards and the difference in standards between us and you. It is a bit rich, coming in here after the week you have had, the week you have faced, and morally lecturing other members of the Assembly.
The comments made by Mr Hargreaves are not supported by the government. They are comments made in the Assembly by an individual member of this place in the adjournment debate, as indeed is the form and custom of this house. Let us get on with it. Have another speaker if you must, but let us get on with it and deal with the program today.
MRS DUNNE (Ginninderra) (10.36): I am glad I had the opportunity to hear the Chief Minister’s comments before I spoke. Really, Mr Speaker, the failure to censure Mr Hargreaves here today is an endorsement of his comments. It is an endorsement of his comments. Look, there is cut and thrust in this place and people are abusive to one another in this place. We are not here because we are thin skinned. We know these things and we take it in our stride. But what we saw last night—I will call it for what it was, Mr Speaker—was a drunken tirade against members of the community outside this place.
Mr Hargreaves: Point of order, Mr Speaker.
MR SPEAKER: Yes, one moment, Mrs Dunne. Stop the clocks, thank you.
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