Page 4327 - Week 14 - Tuesday, 7 December 1993

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In essence, the Liberal Party supports the Bill; but, as members can see by the amendments that have been circulated, there are a few concerns, and I would like to address those amendments as they come forward.

Ms Follett: Did you consult us on these amendments?

MRS CARNELL: Last week.

Mr Lamont: Did you consult the community?

MRS CARNELL: Yes.

MR BERRY (Minister for Health, Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Sport) (8.42), in reply: I am pleased that the Leader of the Opposition has indicated that the Opposition are going to support this Bill in principle. I saw her beaming smile when the issue of consultation was talked about. I just cast my eyes to the bottom of the document which has been circulated today and it shows "7.12.93 - 1.55 pm". The job was completed - - -

Mrs Carnell: Do you want to know when we asked for them? Do not do this.

MR BERRY: Hang on a minute. Anyway, the job was completed and I happened to be - - -

Mr Humphries: That is not our fault.

MR BERRY: Hang on a minute. I happened at about that time to be talking to Mr Humphries in my office. We really never saw these until this afternoon. So let us not beat around the bush in terms of consultation.

Mr Humphries: We got them only this afternoon; that is why.

MR BERRY: I understand that. I am not - - -

Mrs Carnell: When did we brief your officer to do it? Last week.

MADAM SPEAKER: Order! Mr Berry has the floor.

MR BERRY: I question all of that. What you were going to do and what you end up doing are nearly always different. It is difficult to deal with these. I understand that you are not going ahead with a lot of these.

Mrs Carnell: No, that is not right.

MR BERRY: You are going ahead with the lot of them?

Mrs Carnell: I am going ahead with all but one, and Mr Humphries is bringing up a different one in its place.

Mr Cornwell: That is not a bad track record. See whether you can better it.

MADAM SPEAKER: Order!

MR BERRY: You may have a different one in its place. We will just have to see.


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