Page 391 - Week 02 - Tuesday, 17 February 2015
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MADAM SPEAKER: This is a very sensitive issue. This is question time and this is a robust, grown-up parliament. I will call people to order if they exceed themselves. Mr Barr, I was calling you to order previously, before the point of order, and you did not come to order. This needs to be dealt with sensibly and as respectfully as possible. If I call people to order I expect them to come to order. Minister Burch, in answer to Mr Coe’s question.
MS BURCH: I am quite happy to stand and answer the question, and I think I explained it in the statement. But, without pointing a finger across at them, just remember this day where the Canberra Liberals have hit a new low. I have explained the relationship of my adult son and Menslink. I will stand here; I will stand outside and say Menslink is a great organisation.
Mr Hanson interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Order, Mr Hanson.
MS BURCH: I am also on record—I deliberately came here and put on record—that I, in this role, sitting on this bench, have not directed any organisation or staff in ETD to do anything for my son that they would not do for any other troubled young person in the Canberra community.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Coe.
MR COE: Minister, when were you first made aware that the events that transpired were an offence?
MS BURCH: Again, I am just interested if they have all got their set pieces now and, because I have made a statement, they do not quite know what to do. That was reflected in my statement. The then chair brought to me the intention—
Mr Hanson: When?
MS BURCH: I said late last year. He was the then chair. Before the AGM. It is also on record from the current chair that at the AGM they told the stakeholders; they told their volunteers. They have disclosed this. They have done nothing wrong. They have not hidden this. I have not hidden this.
There is an opportunity for the Canberra Liberals to think bigger than a political attack. There is an opportunity for everyone over there to reflect on their own families—
Mr Hanson: Madam Speaker, a point of order on relevance.
MADAM SPEAKER: On a point of order. Stop the clock.
Mr Hanson: Ms Burch is now providing a commentary on the Canberra Liberals. Mr Coe’s question was quite specific, requesting the date when she was first informed of the breach of law. I ask that she be directly relevant.
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