Page 1972 - Week 10 - Tuesday, 24 October 1989
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MR BERRY: One of the things that comes to mind is that last week this house was adjourned because a range of people sitting opposite had not considered the matters before the house, and they had not - - -
Mr Humphries: Because there wasn't time. Your lot pushed them through without time.
MR SPEAKER: Order! Please proceed, Mr Berry.
MR BERRY: Thank you, Mr Speaker, for your protection. Of course you did not have time because you had picked up the business papers only that morning and decided to have a look at them. The Labor Party had to save you people from embarrassment because you were too lazy to have a look at the business that was to come before the house. It was most important that the credibility of this Assembly be protected, and the Labor Government came to the rescue there. So on two occasions the Liberals have been rescued in the last little while - on one by the remnants of the Residents Rally party and on the other by the Labor Party.
But I think it is most important that those flaws in Mr Humphries' arguments which were ably exposed by the Chief Minister in her response during the MPI should be noted by all of the members who intend voting on this matter. I think the Chief Minister's speech ably highlighted the dishonesty of the proposals which have been put forward by Mr Humphries. Members here considering a vote on this issue should be guided by the information which was supplied by the Chief Minister.
Mr Collaery rabbited on for some time, with more slur and innuendo, about the number of pieces of law that had not been brought before this house. The Residents Rally party has not been quick in coming forth with private members' Bills either.
Mr Jensen: Still waiting for the draftsman, Wayne.
MR BERRY: I have not seen you lining up outside, Norm, trying to get some assistance for a private member's Bill. You cannot keep making excuses. But basically what it boils down to is an indictment of the Rally's inactivity and, I suggest, incompetence as a political party. He also was critical of the Government's position on a number of pieces of legislation. One in particular, which I must admit caused me some discomfort, was the issue of the Mental Health Ordinance. I think the position is well known in relation to that ordinance, that there is to be a review this year. It is not a simple piece of legislation. It is a piece of legislation which has to incorporate some very sensitive issues. The Government has moved, and a mental health advisory committee has been appointed. It is a consultation body which will deal with a very detailed assessment of that ordinance. To throw those sorts of things in, Mr Collaery, is being quite unkind and cruel.
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