Page 2544 - Week 12 - Wednesday, 15 November 1989

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objectivity and will do what they can to maintain integrity. But objectivity and integrity are human aspirations, and committees are made up of humans. Committees, like individuals, are apt to err. They are apt to look for compromises. They are apt to let value judgments or questionable propositions or prejudices slip through from time to time. As much as I support the committee system, while I live in a democracy I expect the right to criticise the conclusions a committee reaches. I also expect to be criticised if I am a member of a committee which reaches conclusions which someone else does not like.

I am sure Dr Kinloch shares these sentiments since he was happy to participate in demonstrations following the casino committee's report. I am sure that Mr Collaery shares them since he was quick to assert his right to single me out for criticism on the report into the aquarium project in a letter to the editor, even if he did need to depend on a non-existent plank in the Rally's policy.

Mr Kaine: On a point of order, Mr Speaker; I am not interested, and I do not think the rest of this Assembly is interested, in having our time wasted by this nonsense of Mr Moore's difficulties with the Rally. If he has got a good reason why he should remain on the committee let us hear it and then let us vote on it. I do not want to hear the sordid story of his difficulties with the Rally; thank you very much.

MR SPEAKER: Please proceed, Mr Moore, but keep to the point.

MR MOORE: In the same letter Mr Collaery wrongly criticised the Canberra Times reporter on the incorrect notion that the aquarium is in Rally policy. It is not. But whatever semantic quibbles or views I have, members will also recall - - -

Mr Collaery: On a point of order, Mr Speaker; we have got a lot of business to do today. I do not know whether Mr Moore is unwell. He will get no response from the Rally. We simply need to get on with the business of the house.

MR SPEAKER: Mr Moore, you have eight minutes and 27 seconds left. Please proceed to the point.

MR MOORE: I need not draw any inferences to demonstrate that Mr Jensen's motion is pregnant with quite enough implications. The attitude displayed in this motion is clearly that, since I am now no longer a member of the Rally, I will not necessarily prosecute their cause, since all other factors remain the same. It is my lapsed membership which is at issue; that is what it is about, Mr Kaine.

Mr Kaine: Yes, it is exactly. You no longer represent the group that you represented.


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