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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 14 Hansard (10 December) . . Page.. 5188 ..

MR SMYTH (continuing):

This matter is about informed consent. When developers or individuals choose to donate to a party-some donate to the Liberal Party because they think it is a good party, some donate to the Labor Party because they think it is a good party, some donate to the Democrats, but I am not sure who donates to the Greens as I have not looked at their returns-they do so on the basis of informed consent and that is how it should be. There is no informed consent when you donate through the Canberra Labor Club.

Mr Speaker, earlier there was comment that Mr Stefaniak and Mrs Dunne had received money. I am sure they will miss it in the future. If it makes it easier for Mr Quinlan to vote for this bill, I am sure that they will forgo any donation they previously received, grateful to know that they will be clearing up something that we all have an interest in.

MR SPEAKER: Order everybody! Mr Smyth has the floor. He is entitled to make debating points and, if there are any further speakers, they are entitled to debate them as well.

Members interjecting-

MR SMYTH: Mr Speaker, I think much of what I am saying is simply falling on the deaf ears of those who want to ignore it.

It is quite clear that this bill will go down this evening, but I think it is an issue that is not exhausted and that will be visited again. It comes back to what really is your definition of community. If you ask the majority of Canberrans whether they would rather see $459,000 go to community groups that assist individuals out there or whether that money should go to a political party, I think most of them would say they would rather see it in sport, in women's groups, in carers groups or in volunteers groups. I believe that is the true sentiment of the community.

Obviously, the bill will go down and that is a shame, but I am sure it is a subject to which we will return.

MRS CROSS (10.31), in reply: Mr Speaker, tonight we have witnessed a truly magnificent event, the beatification of Saint Tucker by Lady Astor, for it is you, Mr Quinlan, who is Lady Astor and you who has a price on his head, not me. It is Mr Quinlan who is acting in self-interest and not me. I think that the lovey-dovey, warm and fuzzy, sweet and nice behaviour that Lady Astor-aka Mr Quinlan-showed to Saint Tucker was rather moving. It is going to be a while-

MR SPEAKER: Order, Mrs Cross!

MRS CROSS: Yes, Mr Speaker.

MR SPEAKER: I know that these debates are elevated to quite passionate levels but-

MRS CROSS: I am just acknowledging the beauty of this place, Mr Speaker.

MR SPEAKER: You must refer to members by their proper names.

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