Page 2407 - Week 09 - Tuesday, 7 August 1990
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Mr Moore: On a point of order, Mr Acting Speaker; standing order 118 states:
The answer to a question ...
(a) shall be concise and confined to the subject matter of the question - - -
MR KAINE: If you would give me the opportunity to answer it, it would be much shorter.
Ms Follett: You have had 10 minutes.
MR KAINE: You have filled in five minutes of it with interjections as you always do because you do not want to hear the answers; you do not like what you hear.
MR ACTING SPEAKER: Would you finish, Mr Kaine, with a concise answer.
MR KAINE: If they will give me another minute I will answer the question conclusively, Mr Acting Speaker. The process has been exacerbated by the withdrawal of previous levels of Commonwealth financial support and this has placed strains on the delivery of essential Government programs. This difficult situation is not assisted when those out of power assert that they will retrospectively reverse decisions made by the Government. We can all play that game, Mr Acting Speaker, but in my view to do so would be grossly irresponsible, but they do not mind being grossly irresponsible when they are in opposition. I invite the Opposition to follow the style of the Federal Opposition Leader and adopt a constructive approach to the problems of the community rather than simply seek some easy popularity.
School Closures - Budget Savings
MR CONNOLLY: My question is very simple and it invites a very simple answer, but I am sure it will not be given one. It is the question that every member of the Canberra community is asking: what are the anticipated savings to the Government in 1991 resulting from the closure of each school? A simple question; it cannot be answered.
MR HUMPHRIES: Unfortunately the Opposition is wasting valuable time. Its members have already asked this question once today in question time. I have already answered it once today in question time. I will happily reanswer all of my questions over the last few months if they like. I am very proud of all my answers and would be happy to do so at great length, but it is a great waste of the precious question time that members opposite constantly complain about not having enough of. I have answered this question already, Mr Acting Speaker.
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