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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2001 Week 10 Hansard (28 August) . . Page.. 3369 ..

Mr Stanhope: We would like a bit of consistency.

MR SPEAKER: Just a moment. Order! If this matter is to be thoroughly investigated it is a question of privilege that should come to me in writing. I will then decide if it is a matter of privilege. I am tired of the slanging that goes on across this chamber when we have a great deal of work ahead of us. I suggest that if anybody in this Assembly believes that privilege has been breached they write to me.

Mr Humphries: Mr Speaker, with respect, the issue before the house today is not a question of privilege, although that is a matter we should look at subsequently. The question is whether or not an inference has been made, and I would argue that it has. The effect of what Mr Stanhope just said is that an inference like that should be withdrawn. That is the way he raised it.

MR SPEAKER: May I ask whether both sides might like to do that then?

Mr Stanhope: I was simply pointing out your hypocrisy.

Mr Moore: On a point of order, Mr Speaker: I think that has to be withdrawn.

MR SPEAKER: Hypocrisy. You can withdraw that.

Mr Stanhope: I will withdraw that.

MR SPEAKER: Thank you. Now, do you both want to withdraw? There are inferences being thrown around. If members think that this is sufficiently important that it should be withdrawn then I would ask-

Mr Quinlan: Mr Speaker, I gave a chronology of events which is based on proof. That is what I gave.

Mr Humphries: Proof that I could not have done what you inferred.

MR SPEAKER: Very well. I will repeat-

Mr Quinlan: Sorry. I'm sorry, but if I stood up in this place and said that on 17 August I gave you some advice, and on 18 August a story broke, I'm sorry I said that.

Mr Kaine: Mr Speaker, speaking on this point of order: if Mr Quinlan was going to be asked to withdraw any inference that he might have made against the Chief Minister, then I require that the Chief Minister also be required to withdraw the inference he made against me. Let's be even-handed about this.

MR SPEAKER: Thank you. This is what I suggested a little earlier, Mr Kaine, as an effort to resolve this, unless somebody wishes to take action in a letter to me relating to privilege. Now, I suggest that both sides might like to withdraw any imputations.

Mr Quinlan: Mr Speaker, I cannot withdraw the facts. I did write a letter on 17 August.

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