Page 546 - Week 04 - Thursday, 29 June 1989
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recycling - arguments which are shallow and have made no contribution to this Assembly whatsoever. In addition to the fact that the Residents Rally party has failed to raise any matter, whether it relates to the environment, recycling garbage, or whatever, it has failed on three occasions this week to take the opportunities which were available to it to raise matters of public importance. I cannot understand it. Each day the Government has waited for members of the Residents Rally to come forward with a matter of public importance. But maybe their party has directed them; we know that they are a highly centralised party and that they respond to tight control by their central executive. But did they participate in the debate on the vocational training legislation which went through this week? There was an opportunity for them to debate that legislation clause by clause, and yet the debate on that was concluded in less than one hour. It is one of the most important pieces of legislation that the Government has introduced to this Assembly - indeed I would submit probably the most important piece of legislation that we have introduced to this Assembly - and yet - - -
Mr Moore: On a point of order, Mr Speaker; can the Deputy Chief Minister speak to the motion, please?
MR SPEAKER: Deputy Chief Minister, I take that point. Please speak to the matter in hand.
MR WHALAN: In relation to this reference to the committee, Mr Speaker, it has to be made clear that one of the commitments that this Government has made to this Assembly has been our commitment to consultation. It was in that context that we have consulted with members opposite in the establishment of committees. The purpose of those committees is to make possible and to enhance this process of consultation and to refer to those committees contentious issues. Clearly this is one of the most contentious issues in our community at the moment. We refer it to a committee, and what happens? They complain. They have got work to do. They do not like it. Mr Collaery wants to get on with being a solicitor or something. What he describes as a charade - - -
Mr Moore: According to standing order 70, I move:
That the question be now put.
Question put.
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