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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 6 Hansard (18 June) . . Page.. 1765 ..

MS TUCKER (continuing):

Obviously, within a party there is at times a quite large degree of control over what members of that party do. I understand that there are reasons for that - for unity and so on. However, I am a bit concerned at the possibility that we might see question time with really no-one having much profile except the person a party decides for political reasons needs to get a profile. Obviously, it could very easily be used in that way.

I have actually worked with Labor in question time once or twice. It is possible to do that. I also support what Mr Moore says on that level. There is the ability for that coordination, and I welcome it. We have worked very well with Labor quite recently on the apology. I do not think that that rules out at all the possibility of this happening. I think there is a bit of a check and balance in the system if we keep it so that each member has the right. For those reasons, I will not support this motion.

MR HUMPHRIES (Attorney-General) (3.45): Mr Speaker, the Government is not inclined to support this rather strange motion.

Mr Berry: Last chance, Gary.

MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Berry interjects across the chamber, "It is your last chance". We realise that these things come from the Labor Party only when they are in opposition. They are saying, "This is your last chance to get a system where you can make your leader shine as well. You might need this one day, so get together with us and we will be able to make this device happen. This will work in favour of the party being able to control - - -

Opposition members interjected.

MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Speaker, every time I have spoken today, I have talked over a barrage of Opposition interjections. I would ask for protection from the Opposition in that respect.

MR SPEAKER: I have to agree with you there. Order!

Mr Moore: Just move closer to the microphone.

MR HUMPHRIES: Yes, I could do that; that is true. The reason the Government will not be taking up the kind offer that is being made by the Opposition is that we do not see the electoral system operating in the same way as you do. You obviously have a vested interest - at least, the four of them in the chamber at the moment from the Left faction do - in manipulating the way in which the party presents itself, making sure that certain people shine in the cosmos of Labor's constellation.

The fact of the matter is that we on this side of the chamber understand that the Hare-Clark electoral system is about all members being able to demonstrate to their constituents, through their performance on the floor of the Assembly as elsewhere, the benefits that they have to offer by being a member of this place. I do not propose to support you in any measure which is designed to provide - - -

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