Page 131 - Week 01 - Wednesday, 28 November 2012
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here in the chamber today accusing Mr Smyth of killing someone. That is the Deputy Chief Minister. We hear about standards. The Deputy Chief Minister accused Mr Smyth of killing someone. He should not just withdraw; he should apologise and hang his head in shame.
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Barr—
Mr Barr: I will—
MADAM SPEAKER: No, sit down.
Mr Barr: I will withdraw, Madam Speaker.
MADAM SPEAKER: Sit down. Mr Barr, I just had a discussion before Mr Smyth began about the way we do not reflect upon people’s character. I was letting a fair amount of interjection go because I believe a certain amount of interjection is acceptable in a debate. But you lowered the standard and completely disregarded the things that I said. The accusation that Mr Smyth killed somebody is utterly and completely unacceptable. I heard the words, and I will not tolerate it. The next time you interject in that form, I will name you.
Mr Barr: Madam Speaker, I withdraw and apologise. I would ask the Leader of the Opposition to equally withdraw the assertion that I am a low-life.
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Seselja?
MR SESELJA: I withdraw.
MADAM SPEAKER: Thank you. Now, can we just all take a powder. I believe there should be robust debate in this place, and I will continue to adhere to that. But it will be civil and there will not be reflections upon people’s character. I will take a very hard line on it. Mr Smyth, to resume.
MR SMYTH: Thank you, Madam Speaker. Of course, the Treasurer does not even go to the facts of the issue. I was not a member of the Assembly when the hospital—
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Smyth, just stick to the debate.
MR SMYTH: No, well, I think I have a right to address what was said about me, Madam Speaker.
MADAM SPEAKER: I think you could use standing order 46 at the end of the debate.
MR SMYTH: No, I am using this as an example of the debating technique of those opposite. When they cannot address the facts, they go the slur. Indeed, the opening line of the Treasurer was to go straight to the slur on the Leader of the Opposition. Did not have the facts, did not have a counterattack, so we will just go the slur. It is what we know of Andrew Barr and it is what we—
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