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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 7 Hansard (28 June) . . Page.. 2172 ..

MR BERRY

place, I felt that it might not be worth while proceeding along that course. It is better, I think, for me and the Labor Party to consider this matter as it stands.

We will not be supporting the amendment for all of the reasons which have been outlined by the members of this place. We think it is intended to interfere with the position of the committees in relation to their independence. So far as reporting is concerned, I understand they are animals of the Assembly. They are not organisations in their own right, but there is an issue, as I have said before, about their ability to report independently and the right of members to say what they will in the scheme of things so far as their comments are concerned.

I think this amendment which has been moved by the Attorney is an over-sensitive approach to an issue which could quite easily be left alone and may set a precedent which the government might regret in future times, as will, I think, members regret it when they make highly critical remarks.

Leave aside the comments and what you might think about the comments made in this report. It may set a pattern which, in future, we will regret, one and all, because it may impinge upon the rights of members to make certain specific, passionate, strident and sometimes intemperate remarks about certain issues in relation to the operations of this Assembly and the government or a matter which the committee is considering.

Mr Speaker, I would urge members to oppose the amendment which has been put forward by Mr Humphries.

Amendment (Mr Berry's ) to Mr Humphries' amendment negatived.

Question put:

The Assembly voted-

Ayes, 9    	Noes, 8


Ms Carnell  	Mr Berry
Mr Cornwell  	Mr Corbell
Mr Hird  	Mr Hargreaves
Mr Humphries  	Mr Kaine
Mr Moore  	Mr Quinlan
Mr Osborne  	Mr Stanhope
Mr Rugendyke  	Ms Tucker
Mr Smyth  	Mr Wood
Mr Stefaniak

Question so resolved in the affirmative.

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