Page 2945 - Week 10 - Wednesday, 14 September 1994
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Mr Moore: We have not moved from that. It does not mean that we are going to do it right now.
MR DE DOMENICO: Mr Moore, let us debate the Bill now. Let us put your views on the record. If you agree with Mrs Carnell's Bill, you will support it; and, if you do not, you will vote against it or you will amend it. Put up your amendments, if you are not happy with the Bill. Let me tell you why you should do that, Mr Moore. As you know, for the past 12 months you have been actively involved, in consultation with Mrs Carnell, in producing the Bill that is before the Assembly. You know that a number of community groups have been consulted by the Liberal Party and others that have been involved, including the community councils around this place. That process has taken about 18 months. You also know that the Liberal Party's views have been on the record for a very long time, as announced by Mrs Carnell at the Press Club at least 12 months ago. We have had all that time to have the community consultation which has occurred. So, why are we wasting the time of this Assembly and why do we want to waste the time of the committee? If we really want to have a look at the Bills, let us send the Bills to the committee; but let us not do it by supporting Ms Szuty's motion, which says "have regard to the political context, rationale for, implementation and operation of similar processes within and outside Australia".
Mr Moore: I rise on a point of order, Madam Speaker. Mr De Domenico is referring to a vote which has just been carried by the Assembly, and ought not reflect on that vote.
MADAM SPEAKER: I do not think so, Mr Moore.
MR DE DOMENICO: On the point of order - - -
MADAM SPEAKER: Just continue, Mr De Domenico.
MR DE DOMENICO: That was a good try, Mr Moore. Madam Speaker, it is quite interesting to note that Mrs Carnell's Bill, which was drafted by the parliamentary draftspeople - it has also been looked at by the Scrutiny of Bills Committee, which came up with two or three minor technical amendments - has gone through every process that nearly every other Bill has gone through. So, why are we wasting the Assembly's time? Is it because Mr Moore or Ms Szuty wants to be on another committee? Is it because Mr Moore or Ms Szuty and the Government do not want to say, "This is where we really stand on community-initiated referenda."?
Mr Cornwell: Is there any travel involved?
MR DE DOMENICO: "Is there any travel involved?", Mr Cornwell asks. I do not know. Is it "California, here I come."? Is this committee going to go off to California, Sweden, Italy or Switzerland? I hope not. The Liberal Party certainly would not be supporting that. So, what are we doing here? We are seeing the usual complete and utter backflip, degree of difficulty 3.5, by Mr Moore. In this instance he is taking the Government with him. Of course, the Government does not want to debate this Bill now, because it does not know how to vote. It does not know how to vote, because the Government knows that this is very good legislation.
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