Page 116 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 7 December 2004
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business. Mr Stefaniak makes the argument that there needs to be more time for executive business. Well, we are providing that. We are providing the time for executive business—an additional three hours dedicated solely to executive business every second sitting Friday. So, far from closing down debate, far from restricting debate, it is facilitating the smoother running of the Assembly, a better opportunity for everyone to contribute and more time to deal with executive business. That is what the proposition does.
We are going to hear a lot, I am sure, over the next little while how at every point, every time the Liberal Party disagrees with something the government is doing, it will be an abuse of the majority. Well, I think you have got to make the argument on its merits; not just every time you disagree, say it is an abuse of the majority, because that is not going to get you very far and you are really going to have to work a bit harder on that.
The proposition is a reasonable one. It allows for additional sitting hours. It allows for a more focused approach to debate and it takes account of the changed dynamic, given that we do not have the same level of crossbench representation and will not need the time that it took to accommodate those views. I commend the motion to the Assembly.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Adjournment
Motion (by Mr Corbell) proposed:
That the Assembly do now adjourn.
Brindabella electorate
MR HARGREAVES (Brindabella—Minister for Disability, Housing and Community Services, Minister for Urban Services and Minister for Police and Emergency Services) (5.43): Very briefly, I want to take this opportunity—this is the first time I have really had to do so since the Assembly has come back—to express my appreciation to the people of Brindabella for the confidence that they showed at the last election in me and in the Labor Party.
I wanted to express my appreciation to my Labor colleagues over the last two terms that I have been in this place; to numerous members of my campaign team; and to my own office, Andrew and Maria particularly. Mr Temporary Deputy Speaker, I think it is incumbent on me to mention people like Jimmy Mallett, Marco Spaccavento, Keith Warren, Carl Segale and a whole host of members who are known to your good self and who contributed enormously of their time and effort to allow me to be elected.
Achieving over 10,000 votes was an absolute thrill, I have to say. But also may I just say that it is a particular honour that I have been able to return for a third term. I am sure that members coming back for their third term will cherish that honour and do the very best they can to make sure they provide a service to their constituents.
It is most incumbent on me to express my appreciation to my wife, Jen, and to my family. Without Jen and my family—but I guess mainly Jen—one, I would not be here in
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