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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 5 Hansard (14 May) . . Page.. 1173 ..

MR HIRD (continuing):

A select committee has spent two days listening to 10 witnesses at public hearings, on top of drawn out debate in this house on 16 April, and for what? Just what have we achieved? The fact that the question was referred to a select committee in the first place was nothing more than a cheap, political stunt headed by the Deputy Opposition Leader, Mr Shonk - I am sorry - in a bid to score - - -

Mr Moore: I take a point of order, Mr Speaker. I believe that Mr Hird is reflecting on a vote of the Assembly.

MR SPEAKER: I think Mr Hird also should refer to members by their own name.

MR HIRD: Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Berry: I think, Mr Speaker, he also described me as "Mr Shonk". That clearly is an imputation.

MR SPEAKER: Indeed. That is why I suggested that you might like to withdraw that and rephrase your remarks, Mr Hird. If you are referring to Mr Berry - - -

MR HIRD: As Mr Shonk.

MR SPEAKER: Refer to him - - -

MR HIRD: I apologise for calling Mr Berry "Mr Shonk".

Mr Berry: Just withdraw it. You do not have to apologise.

MR SPEAKER: Withdraw it.

MR HIRD: I withdraw any reference that Mr Berry is really Mr Shonk.

MR SPEAKER: Thank you.

MR HIRD: I withdraw that, Mr Speaker.

MR SPEAKER: Unequivocally.

MR HIRD: Yes, certainly. Definitely. I do apologise, through the Chair, to Mr Berry for referring to him as Mr - - -

MR SPEAKER: Order! Mr Hird, this is not a game. Would you mind getting on with your speech.

MR HIRD: Thank you, sir. The fact that the question was referred to a select committee in the first place was nothing more than a cheap political stunt.

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