Page 165 - Week 01 - Wednesday, 26 February 2014
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paragraph 1(f) she notes, “The ongoing work of business, unions and government to strengthen the ACT economy.” Yet Mr Hanson has deliberately omitted the word “unions” in that sentence. I think that is simply unbalanced.
Ms Berry’s initial motion acknowledges that all of those groupings have a role to play in the economic prosperity in the ACT. Yet Mr Hanson has gone out of his way to remove one of those groups who, on the face of it on any argument, have a role to play in the ACT economy. Similarly, in a later part of the motion he has, again, removed references to the unions and I think that is unfortunate. It can only be an ideologically driven approach. On that basis I will be supporting the motion as moved.
MS BURCH (Brindabella—Minister for Education and Training, Minister for Disability, Children and Young People, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Women, Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Minister for Racing and Gaming) (12.11): I thank Ms Berry for moving this important motion here today in the Assembly. Governments of all persuasions and at all levels have a responsibility to ensure that they do all they can to support the employment of members of the community.
I find it interesting that so far we have only had Mr Hanson speak from the Canberra Liberals on this. This is a very important motion brought by Ms Berry before the Assembly. I look forward to the afternoon session to see how the Canberra Liberals will respond to this. This motion is—
Mr Doszpot interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Order, Mr Doszpot!
MS BURCH: Excuse me, Madam Speaker.
MADAM SPEAKER: I was not talking to you, Ms Burch.
MS BURCH: No, but I was just interested in what you—
MADAM SPEAKER: Ms Burch, if you want to speak to the topic, speak to the topic; otherwise, sit down.
MS BURCH: Well, you made a comment.
MADAM SPEAKER: No, I did not make a comment. I called Mr Doszpot to order.
MS BURCH: That is what I just wanted to clarify.
MADAM SPEAKER: No; that is not your job. Your job is not to clarify. Your job is to speak to the question of whether the amendments be agreed to—not to second-guess, like some teenager, how the Speaker does her job. I called Mr Doszpot to order. That is my job. Your job is to address the question of whether the amendments should be agreed to.
MS BURCH: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am sorry. I just did not hear what you said. I was not second-guessing or calling your comments into question.
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