Page 2959 - Week 13 - Thursday, 23 November 1989
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Independent Member's Speech Writer
MR MOORE (5.00): It is interesting, Mr Speaker, that today should be the day that this motion of no confidence has been moved. I am delighted to see my wife, my sister and my child here, a situation that has not happened before. I would just like to say how delighted I am. We also say that today is what I refer to as my first independence day. It is exactly a month today since I went independent and I will be very pleased to be able to go back into the community knowing that I have not broken what are to me my own promises to that community. I shall remain independent regardless of whoever is in government.
It is also even more interesting that today should be the day that my very able assistant, Peter Wise, to whom I cannot give too much credit, is leaving to go to Murwillumbah where he can continue as a professional writer, a plan he has had for a long time. I have always known that he was employed temporarily. I must give a great deal of credit to him not only for encouraging me over the last few months but also for providing me with a tremendous number of speeches. His written words in press releases and so forth are absolutely exceptional. I must give credit there.
One of the things he has written is sitting on the door of my office at the moment. I read it as I left. I think the first couple of words are incorrect but the wind-up is important. He says something along the lines of "it is interesting that I should leave on the day that the lunatics take over the asylum". Mr Speaker, to say "the asylum", I think, is terribly unfair. He is saying that partly tongue-in-cheek.
So let me say about Peter Wise that here is a man of astute character, of great judgment, of writing ability, who has given his time over the last six months to this Assembly in more ways than members of this Assembly could really know. He has made many contributions, whether it be in terms of budget, in terms of education or in terms of many other things. I have often had the opportunity to sit down and discuss many issues with him. Interestingly enough, let me tell some of you who feel that occasionally I am a little outspoken or something to that effect, often it has been Mr Wise who has actually modified and moderated my tone. That being the case, I leave to your imagination just what that tone would have been.
Mr Speaker, I have been attempting to say this afternoon that I have been misrepresented. I have been unable to do so because of the way the debate is going. I hope that you will give me the opportunity at the end of this adjournment debate to make my statement. I will seek leave from you at that time and I draw your attention to that.
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