Page 2625 - Week 12 - Thursday, 16 November 1989
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POSTPONEMENT OF ORDERS OF THE DAY
Motion (by Mr Whalan) agreed to:
That orders of the day Nos 2 and 3, executive business, be postponed until a later hour.
SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS
MR STEVENSON (11.41): I move:
That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would allow the debate on order of the day No. 2, private members' business, to be called on forthwith.
Mr Whalan: Mr Speaker, I raise a point of order. There has been some discussion about this matter. If members are going to spring these things on us - we are happy to continue with this at 4 o'clock this afternoon - if Mr Stevenson insists on moving the suspension now, we are not going to give leave.
MR STEVENSON: The Government yesterday was very concerned about not having the opportunity to speak on the matter, and obviously it should go ahead today. As far as the timing is concerned, provided there is sufficient time to debate the matter, I do not mind. But, of course, in this Assembly different people have different priorities and one can keep changing things around. I was asked by the Liberal Party if we could have the matter brought on now as there are other important matters this afternoon. Personally, I do not mind when it comes on, provided it goes ahead today and people have the opportunity to have a say on this most important matter. It is being debated in the United Nations on Monday, 20 November, and while this may not occur, the convention can be signed by Australia on that day and it also can be ratified immediately if there are 20 signatories. This affects the people of Canberra greatly. It is an urgent matter.
MR WHALAN (Deputy Chief Minister) (11.42): Mr Speaker, it is an outrageous abuse of the procedures of this chamber when this sort of thing is raised in this manner. There was an extraordinary situation yesterday when Mr Stevenson applied the gag to the debate on this matter. He denied the Government the opportunity to participate in a debate on it yesterday by applying the gag and then today, in this frivolous manner, he decides it is important. He did not consult us. He did not say, "Do you mind if we proceed with this? I have had this sudden rush of blood to the head overnight and have decided that this is what we should do today, Thursday, although I denied you the opportunity to do it yesterday". All of a sudden this hypocrite comes into the chamber and decides that the matter is now important. Yesterday it was not, but today it is.
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