Page 3103 - Week 14 - Thursday, 7 December 1989
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MR SPEAKER: Just wait until we get to the motion.
MS FOLLETT (Leader of the Opposition): I move:
That the debate be adjourned.
I would ask also while I am on my feet that the paper be circulated. Members of the opposition do not have a copy of it.
Mr Kaine: It will be.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
DAY OF NEXT MEETING
MR COLLAERY (Deputy Chief Minister) (11.47): Mr Speaker, this motion to create a special adjournment is a tradition, as I see it, in the parliamentary practice of democracies. It is also a tradition, may I remind this fledgling opposition, that you give the courtesy to a new leader of the house, a new government, to give its statement. It is very clear; it has been the practice of successive Federal parliaments since Federation to allow that courtesy. We have seen a gross discourtesy, Mr Speaker, from this group opposite us - and I exclude some members from that - but the principal malefactors have been well identified by their performance.
Mr Speaker, the fact of the matter is that this Government has, firstly, to appoint a series of committees and reform the standing committees and the select committees. There are six standing committees, as you know, Mr Speaker, and four select committees. Time is needed to do that. As well, given the delays in this Assembly, the opposition has lost the opportunity to give this Assembly the dignified appearance that a lot of us sincerely hoped we would get on the resumption of this new Government. It is a shame this has occurred again this morning, and I think it should be evident to all members of the public where this behaviour originally started and where it should be sheeted home to. The former Deputy Chief Minister is again off the leash, without control from his Chief Minister.
A member: Hear, hear!
Mr Kaine: I am his Chief Minister and he did get off the leash.
MR SPEAKER: Order!
MR COLLAERY: I mean his former Chief Minister. Mr Speaker, I may be confused in my identification as to where Mr Whalan sits on this floor because - - -
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