Page 4796 - Week 13 - Tuesday, 27 November 2018
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MR BARR (Kurrajong—Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Social Inclusion and Equality, Minister for Tourism and Special Events and Minister for Trade, Industry and Investment) (10.11): The government will not be supporting the suspension of standing orders, but I indicate to the opposition that, should they wish to bring this motion on tomorrow in private members’ business, the government will support debate tomorrow. There is too much important business on the agenda today. Tomorrow, private members’ day, knock yourselves out! We will support the suspension of standing orders to debate this first thing tomorrow morning. The government will not be supporting the suspension of standing orders today.
MRS DUNNE (Ginninderra) (10.12), in reply: To conclude, there is a strange concession from the Chief Minister that the number of hours that he is prepared to let this stand on the notice paper and let it go unaddressed shows just how much confidence he has in the Minister for Health and Wellbeing. This motion will go on the notice paper and it will be there as a reproach of the Minister for Health and Wellbeing.
Mr Barr: And it will be defeated tomorrow.
MRS DUNNE: The Chief Minister may anticipate debate as much as he likes, and he may, if he wants to, run interference for the Minister for Health and Wellbeing, but the people of the ACT know, and will continue to see, the failings of the Minister for Health and Wellbeing. This matter should be addressed now.
In response to Ms Le Couteur’s address, there was not five minutes notice. The minister was given the sort of notice that is customary in this place. At the time of giving notice to the minister, which was about 9 o’clock—it may have been a few minutes either way—I also notified, so that the chamber could run more smoothly, both the Speaker and the Clerk. So there was notice given. There was not five—
Ms Cheyne: Did you email me just before we went into caucus? You know when we meet. You did that on purpose.
MRS DUNNE: The Assembly and the opposition have control over when they wish to censure. It does not have to give any notice under the standing orders but, as is always the case, if this matter does arise, the opposition does give notice. And on this occasion notice was given, not only to the member but to the Clerk and to the Speaker. There are a number of reasons why standing orders should be suspended, the main one being the failure of the minister and the fact that this motion, standing on the notice paper as it will, is an ongoing reproach of the minister, and that is why it needs to be addressed.
Question put:
That the motion be agreed to.
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