Page 1288 - Week 04 - Thursday, 8 May 2014
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I make the point that with these amendments that we are looking at today, Mr Corbell and Mr Rattenbury have had them for 48 hours. Perhaps Mr Corbell could realise that the opposition, in this case, has done everything it can to provide the relevant ministers with the information 48 hours in advance of this being debated. The minister’s quibble is the fact that he is not prepared to provide statements two hours in advance of their debate. That is probably worth responding to, after the sanctimonious little lecture that we got.
MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: Is leave granted for Mr Wall to move his amendments?
Leave granted.
MR SMYTH (Brindabella): Madam Deputy Speaker, I also seek leave of the Assembly to propose amendments to the Assembly that have not been circulated in accordance with standing order 178A. I do apologise for not having lodged them in a timely fashion.
Leave not granted.
Standing orders—suspension
MR SMYTH (Brindabella) (11.47): I move:
That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent me from moving my amendments.
Madam Deputy Speaker, I have already apologised for the untimely lodging of these amendments. It is important that if there are amendments sitting over a bill they be discussed. The arrangements have been put in place to help facilitate debate and, as has been said, notice was given to the offices. The government are now bringing on so many bills that they expect to pass the very next sitting. Of course, in the interim you have got to go out and consult with industry. We have got to have our own internal party processes. You then, if necessary, need to go to parliamentary counsel and get amendments prepared. The problem is caused by the government’s lack of agenda and their almost death knell approach to tabling legislation and then assuming that the Assembly will pass it almost immediately.
Mr Corbell has not had a good week, and we understand why Mr Corbell has not had a good week. It is interesting that he rushes off to Mr Rattenbury. Let me talk to the Assembly about the approach of the two ministers. The opposition has simply said that in this new hierarchy of statements that we have, where we have ministerial statements by leave and now we have statements by leave, it is not inappropriate to have some notice so that debate can actually flow. The request for the early notice on the statements by leave that ministers now do is so that the opposition member can be ready to participate fully in the debate. There is often a call from those opposite that we work more harmoniously together, but when you ask for the opportunity to be informed so you can participate fully in the debate, Minister Corbell simply says no.
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