Page 3845 - Week 12 - Thursday, 23 November 2006
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he may not represent the electorate of Molonglo, I would hope that his colleagues Mr Barr, Ms Gallagher and Mr Corbell would understand the depth of concern over his handling of this issue and the dismissive way in which he has spoken about people who have raised legitimate concerns. For that reason, I stand by this motion of censure.
MR HARGREAVES (Brindabella—Minister for the Territory and Municipal Services, Minister for Housing and Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (11.54): It is interesting, I think, to notice that the time difference between the conclusion of one decision and the decision to move a censure motion was a nanosecond. I think it was a nanosecond. I think, in fact, that the good spin doctor Mulcahy had it in his back pocket for a couple of days. And he has thought—
Opposition members interjecting—
MR SPEAKER: Order! Members of the opposition will cease interjecting, including Mr Pratt.
MR HARGREAVES: And I thought it was really a bit of political genius to say—
Mr Pratt: It would not have occurred to you—
MR SPEAKER: Order, Mr Pratt!
MR HARGREAVES: Actually, Mr Speaker, I have been thinking to myself, “I wonder when this is going to come.” And I have to say to you, it has come a day later than I thought. But, then again, in thinking about it, of course, Mr Mulcahy and Mr Pratt are too clever by half. What they have actually done, Mr Speaker, is to put this piece of Assembly business on the notice paper knowing that I would not be in the Assembly at the time. Therefore, they were going to run this censure motion. It was always going to happen today. But it was a cowardly attempt because I was not going to be here. As it turned out, for reasons of my own, I did not go. Mr Speaker—
Mr Pratt: You bloody dingbat!
MR SPEAKER: Mr Pratt, enough of that.
Mr Pratt: I apologise, Mr Speaker. I do apologise, John.
MR HARGREAVES: I accept your apology, Steve. I accept it and it is reciprocated with warmth. What is the substance of this censure motion? They did not get what they wanted. They decided that it is a nice political ploy to go and pick a few things. What are they?
Mr Pratt: What—to keep a library open?
MR SPEAKER: Mr Pratt, I have called you to order twice.
MR HARGREAVES: I refer to the lack of consultation process. I have actually said in this place, I do not know how many times, that if we could do things better in terms
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