Page 722 - Week 03 - Thursday, 21 May 1992
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MR BERRY (Deputy Chief Minister) (3.06): This clearly is a shot at the Speaker. The Speaker has already given a ruling in relation to a matter which was before this chamber; and the Liberals, in their usual grubby way, are attempting to have a go at the Speaker instead of copping the Speaker's decision. It is an attack on the Speaker. There is no question about that. The Liberals were unable to sustain their argument when the matter was before the Chair, and it is quite inappropriate for them now to try to challenge the Speaker's authority by way of a suspension of standing orders in this Assembly.
For them to do so merely indicates that if at any time they wish to ignore your rulings, Madam Speaker, they will raise matters by way of a suspension of standing orders. They all shake their heads. I do not believe them. I know when I can smell a rat. Clearly, the Speaker gave a quite fair ruling on allegations in this place in relation to something having racist overtones or smacking of racist overtones. It stung the Liberals - they should have been stung as well, because it was a correct judgment. They led, in their question, with an accusation of Vietnamese nurses being employed instead of graduate nurses. It clearly smacked of racism.
Motion (by Mr Moore) agreed to:
That the question be now put.
Original question put:
That the motion (Mr Humphries's) be agreed to.
The Assembly voted -
AYES, 8 NOES, 9
Mrs Carnell Mr Berry
Mr Cornwell Mr Connolly
Mr De Domenico Ms Ellis
Mr Humphries Ms Follett
Mr Kaine Mrs Grassby
Mr Moore Mr Lamont
Ms Szuty Ms McRae
Mr Westende Mr Stevenson
Mr Wood
Question so resolved in the negative.
PERSONAL EXPLANATION
MR KAINE (Leader of the Opposition): Madam Speaker, I seek leave to make a statement under standing order 46.
MADAM SPEAKER: Proceed, Mr Kaine.
MR KAINE: I do this because not only I but, I believe, others in this Assembly feel some discontent with the events of the last few days. I refer, Madam Speaker, to a situation which occurred in the last few days in respect of which you later
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