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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 1 Hansard (17 February) . . Page.. 187 ..

MR SPEAKER: You are foreshadowing, are you not, that you - - -

MR BERRY: I am foreshadowing a Bill.

MR SPEAKER: Yes, very well. He can foreshadow.

Mr Humphries: I am sorry, Mr Speaker; if Mr Berry is going to speak to a Bill, we would like to see the Bill in front of us, rather than have him talk about a Bill which we have not yet seen. Members have that courtesy extended in all other circumstances. There is no reason why it should not happen here.

MR SPEAKER: That is a reasonable request, Mr Berry.

MR BERRY: I am quite happy to deal with that; but I think I am entitled, Mr Speaker, to foreshadow a Bill in the course of this debate.

Ms Carnell: It is not on the daily paper.

MR SPEAKER: It is not on the daily program, though.

MR BERRY: No. Indeed, it is not, Mr Speaker. But I am foreshadowing actions and I think it is quite - - -

Mr Osborne: On a point of order, Mr Speaker: Mr Berry said about me, "These are the actions of a fanatic ... in a very spineless way"; "The member is so spineless that he wants to avoid public debate"; "This is not on the notice paper". I could keep going.

Mr Corbell: On a point of order: There is no point of order, Mr Speaker. This is frivolous.

MR SPEAKER: I uphold Mr Corbell's point of order. Mr Berry is going to seek leave to move a motion at some future time to introduce a second Bill. The opportunity will arise to debate the matter then, Mr Osborne.

MR BERRY: Mr Speaker, later on, I will be seeking leave to introduce a Bill in relation to the Dangerous Goods Act. Unlike the spineless actions of those who seek to address this issue by way of a misuse of the standing orders, I drew it to their attention electronically last evening and, of course, it was mentioned in the newspapers a week ago. Also, this legislation is almost a mirror image of something which is before the house. So, Mr Osborne, for you to bleat about being caught out on abortion at this particular stage I think is a fairly fragile argument. I have got no scars on me in relation to abortion, but you have got plenty.

This Bill that I have introduced today will remedy a situation which has been created by inaction - inaction by a Minister whose competence must surely be drawn into question in relation to this matter. It is a curious piece of inaction, which needs to be addressed. Mr Speaker, if members choose not to give me leave to introduce my Bill, I am quite happy to introduce it later. I have no difficulty at all in leave not being granted. But, if

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