Page 1873 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 19 August 1992
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Matters of Public Importance
MR LAMONT (5.51): Madam Speaker, I am somewhat amazed. After their not being prepared to sit here and listen to and debate a reasonable matter of public importance, we had the "walkouters" come back in after their precious little tantrum, and speak in the adjournment debate to try to justify a position that nobody can justify. Let us have a look at the record of the Opposition. Since this Assembly was formed, Madam Speaker, four MPIs have been put forward and discussed by the Liberal Party to a conclusion. They have submitted a total of eight MPIs in 23 sitting days. As a backbencher, a member of the Government and an MLA, I am allowed, pursuant to these standing orders, to exercise my rights as a member of this Assembly. I chose to do so primarily because this bunch opposite have failed in their duty not only to their beliefs and their philosophy but also to everybody else in the ACT.
They could have raised a range of matters of public importance on 23 occasions. What have they done? They have got out of bed early enough to put in eight. If anybody should be ashamed about the performance in relation to MPIs in this house, it should be you, the Liberal Opposition. I cannot make the same accusation about the Independents in this house because they quite rightfully have taken a proper approach in relation to MPIs. They have put in 11 in 23 days. The Liberal Party, with six members, the formal Opposition, have put in eight; and they have had four discussed. There are six of them. We have three Independents - - -
Mr Moore: Two Independents and the Abolish Self Government.
MR LAMONT: I am sorry; we have two who have principally put in most of them. We have two Independents and the Abolish Self Government Coalition person; thank you for the correction. Between them, they have put in 11. So, three of them have managed to do the right thing and take up the processes that are available to them under the standing orders so that they do not have to rely on Assembly business or private members business when generally Bills and so forth are put forward. This opportunity for MPIs is given so that there can be general debate on matters of public importance. You, the Opposition, have failed repeatedly to live up to everybody else's expectation, let alone your own.
What happened today was very simple: You did not want to debate it; you did not want to discuss it because you are ashamed. After the actions this afternoon you will be forever ashamed about having your leader kicked out of this Assembly. I could see all of you sitting there with your heads bowed, ashamed of your leader - and so you should be. The shame is not only upon you; it is upon this Assembly. If you cannot control your leader, how could anybody ever expect you to run any government?
Mr Humphries: This is the circus man.
MR LAMONT: If it is the circus, you are the clown. This afternoon you have shown that you are the clown.
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