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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 6 Hansard (22 June) . . Page.. 1621 ..
MR MOORE (continuing):
(a) it affirms a motion that is expressed to be a motion of no confidence in the Chief Minister;
(b) at least one week's notice of the motion has been given in accordance with the standing rules and orders; and
(c) the resolution is passed by at least the number of members necessary to be a quorum.
Mr Speaker, that is all that is said in the Self-Government Act, our constitution. On the other matter, Mr Speaker - - -
Mr Stanhope: I take a point of order, Mr Speaker. Mr Moore said quite explicitly he wished to have leave to speak about the mental health legislation. If he is not going to do that he has no right to expect us to approve these nonsense requests.
MR MOORE: On the contrary, Mr Stanhope, I stood up a moment ago and asked for leave to speak briefly on a couple of matters.
MR SPEAKER: That is right.
MR MOORE: I have now dealt with the so-called constitutional issue. You only have to read the Self-Government Act, if members have it in front of them, to know that that was a nonsense.
The second issue, Mr Speaker, is about the Mental Health Act because it is fundamental. The Leader of the Opposition has made a mistake here in the way he has done this. We will help him out and we will seek to bring on the legislation.
Mr Stanhope: Whose legislation is it, Minister? Do you want to hand over already?
MR MOORE: It is my legislation and it has taken a great deal of time. We have been negotiating very carefully because of the consultation process. I think Ms Tucker would agree with me - it is probably the only time she will - that the consultation process on the Mental Health Act has been impeccable. That is why it is ready to be debated without us getting into a major conflict. I must say that I am very disappointed with Mr Osborne's approach. He still has time to change his mind. The Mental Health Act illustrates very clearly what happens. It demonstrates that the no-confidence motion is not the most important thing. It demonstrates what Mr Stanhope has being saying - that the no-confidence motion is not the most important thing at all. There are other important things. The important things are about how ordinary people can get on and live their lives.
Mr Wood: Sit down. Come on, sit down, Michael.
MR MOORE: I hear Mr Wood interjecting, "Sit down". Remember, you did give me leave to speak briefly.
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