Page 543 - Week 04 - Thursday, 29 June 1989
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this, I think is quite reprehensible and I really do question the motives for its being put forward.
I think that the matter of the business of this Assembly needs to be addressed, and I have already asked the Chief Minister to make time to discuss the matter with me. I think it is a matter of importance to every member of this Assembly that we are spending time on matters like this, when the private members section of the notice paper contains very important business and we are restricted to two hours a week to deal with that. I think it is quite out of balance and I think the Government needs to look seriously at its priorities and at whether it intends to allow cooperative government with the other 12 of us making some input to it. I think it really is a matter that needs to be addressed.
Having said all that, I undertook to support this because I believe, as I said yesterday, that the question of the environment is probably one of the top two items on the political agenda and that it has to be addressed. I submit that, if the Government does not have the resources to do its job, then it is appropriate for this Assembly on its behalf to take on the task and do it, but I agree reluctantly.
MR COLLAERY (11.52): I rise to support my colleague Mr Kaine. In fact, Mr Speaker, I have been absent from the chamber for longer than I have ever been absent. The reason why I was absent was that I went out to speak to members of the press gallery to apologise for what is becoming a charade in this house when the Government of the day pushes on to us the situation that my friend Mr Kaine mentioned. This is becoming a farce. Some of us have put aside our lives for the next three years in public service to the community. I for one find it very frustrating to put aside my profession to come in and to go through the charade that this Government is attempting to turn this chamber into.
As Mr Kaine said, we are down to about two hours' voice per week at the moment, and that is totally unacceptable in view of all the commitments that the ALP made, pre-election, towards open, consultative government. Mrs Grassby's motion today really is renewed evidence of the absolute bereftness of the ALP - - -
Mr Whalan: I rise on a point of order. Under the standing orders the member addressing the chamber has to address his remarks to the question before the Assembly. I submit that Mr Collaery is not addressing the question.
MR SPEAKER: I will be making a statement at the conclusion of this debate on matters such as this. However, I would ask that Mr Collaery make his comments brief on this matter at this time.
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