Page 946 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 19 April 1994
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
MR BERRY (4.39): It is interesting that nobody seems to be able to understand the reasons why this motion has been put forward.
Members interjected.
MR BERRY: I will give you the reasons and then you will understand. My job is to try to detect from discussions with you lot where you stand in relation to individual matters. Throughout the course of this morning, and perhaps this afternoon in respect of some members, I spoke to individuals who represent a particular view or group. I have taken the time to speak to both Mr Moore and Ms Szuty so that I did not confuse them on the issue of who would be appointed to the committee. My understanding from the discussions with both of them was that the proposal which the motion sets out to achieve was acceptable to them.
Ms Follett: And you believed that?
MR BERRY: I believed that. Similarly, and not so long ago, I believed them on one score too, which I found to be a mistake. Anyway, in relation to Mr Stevenson, I admit to not talking to Mr Stevenson.
Ms Follett: He is not here.
MR BERRY: Mr Stevenson is not here.
Mr De Domenico: Yes, he is.
MR BERRY: He is here. I withdraw that unequivocally.
Mr Stevenson: Thanks. That is two in a row.
Mr Kaine: He is here but he is not here, if you understand.
Mr Lamont: He is outside the chamber, so he is not here.
MR BERRY: Indeed. I expect that Mr Stevenson will vote with the Liberals, as he has done on 98 per cent of occasions when it comes to divisions anyway. In relation to the Liberals, I spoke specifically to Mr Humphries, who is the Whip, in relation to these matters and pointed out what I proposed to do in the course of these proceedings. After talking to all of these people and not finding any specific objections in - - -
Mr De Domenico: That is not true.
MR BERRY: I say that I spoke to Mr Humphries, and I think Mr Humphries will say that he agreed with me, because I could hear him munching a sandwich.
Mr De Domenico: That is what you said last Tuesday night.
MADAM SPEAKER: Order!
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .