Page 765 - Week 05 - Thursday, 6 July 1989
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MR SPEAKER: I believe there is a quorum, Mr Moore, at this time.
Mrs Grassby: Oh, he is going to go, so there will not be a quorum. Isn't this unbelievable? He is wasting the time of the rest of us.
MR SPEAKER: I will put the point to Mr Collaery. Do you wish to proceed without a quorum?
MR COLLAERY: No, Mr Speaker. There are some members who should hear what I say.
Mrs Grassby: I wish you would get to the point, Mr Collaery. I would like to hear it. As I said before, put up or shut up.
(Quorum formed)
MR COLLAERY: Those earlier comments predicated my introduction to the issue of a casino in this Territory. My concern about a casino is not a moral issue. My concern about a casino is that we have not clearly throughout this country got on top of organised crime. We have not been able to deal with those issues that beset the community in areas of club entertainment and the rest. The gaming squad in New South Wales has reported on many occasions, and the Moffatt inquiry reported in New South Wales, that criminal fraud and the like are highly concentrated around the casino. So I propose to speak to the casino issue now.
The casino is really one issue which is very pertinent to the motion before the Assembly. There is a situation developing where, unless allegations can be substantiated probably beyond reasonable doubt, they should not be raised in this chamber. Mr Speaker, I submit to you that that proposition, which is implicit in Mr Berry's motion, is absolutely absurd. Does that mean that, before a democrat in a chamber of this nature can raise an issue of concern, that matter has to be proved beyond reasonable doubt? Does it mean that the Rally is obliged to trial the issue itself and produce the evidence? Does it mean that? Clearly, the processes developed by the Rally in this chamber in the cut and thrust of politics are no different from those over on the other hill. It is only appropriate that the Rally pursues it, as probably one of the only groups in this chamber committed to working for the people on the issue.
The casino issue is very interesting. The same Premier of New South Wales, Mr Greiner, who brought in the ICAC cancelled the Darling Harbour casino within 24 hours of going into office. The fact is that there is a notable proponent of the casino in this town, and that is Mr Whalan. He is a very vociferous opponent of those opposed to it and he is a notable proponent. There is a man in this town saying that he has got the casino, that he is going to build it. There is a man saying that. Mr Whalan knows that man, and the Rally is very concerned to know
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