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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 10 Hansard (25 November) . . Page.. 3020 ..

MR SPEAKER: It is not a matter of what you want. If you are not concerned about being called a zealot, it is all right. But Ms Tucker is offended by "bigot", and it is almost 2.30 on Thursday morning.

Mr Wood: We are all bigots here.

MR OSBORNE: I hear my Protestant colleague Mr Wood saying that we are all bigots; but I am not a bigot. I am Roman Catholic. Mr Speaker, as I said, we have been accused of being zealots through this whole debate, and Ms Tucker is being a bit precious, I would have thought.

MR SPEAKER: Ms Tucker is offended by being called "a bigot".

MR OSBORNE: She is making the point that she is concerned that this panel will be appointed by a Catholic hospital. I would argue that that in some way indicates that she is a bigot, because she does not trust Catholics, Mr Speaker.

Ms Tucker: That is not what I said.

Mr Berry: Mr Speaker, I do not think Ms Tucker has got a point of order either. I thought that was mock indignation and that she was trying to find a soft spot with Ossie. It will not work. He has not got a soft spot. It is all pretence. Just wear it like a badge of honour.

MR SPEAKER: It is entirely up to you, Ms Tucker.

Ms Tucker: I would like him to withdraw it. He did not support it with an argument at all.

MR SPEAKER: Thank you. Would you mind, please.

MR OSBORNE: As long as she withdraws the accusation that I am a zealot, Mr Speaker.

MR SPEAKER: I do not think she made the allegation. Somebody else did. Would you mind withdrawing, please, for Ms Tucker.

MR OSBORNE: I think it, Mr Speaker, but I will withdraw it.

Amendment agreed to.

MR MOORE (Minister for Health and Community Care) (2.28 am): Mr Speaker, I seek leave to move together amendments Nos 22 to 25, circulated in my name.

Leave granted.

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