Page 2440 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 1 July 2008
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around and decide to demand serious documents—documents that have certain protections afforded to them—without any consultation with committee members. That is what occurred here, that is why it is wrong and that is why a privileges committee should be established.
MR PRATT (Brindabella) (11.16): Mr Speaker, this is more than an attempt by Mr Corbell to discredit Mr Stefaniak. My colleagues have already covered the issues around this motion, which go to the heart of vindictiveness and revenge, and I do not need to go over those again. I want to add to the debate by saying simply that this is much more than an attempt to discredit Mr Stefaniak. This is an attempt by Mr Corbell to discredit the inquiry.
Mr Corbell: Mr Speaker, I raise a point of order. That is really a serious reflection on me. I ask Mr Pratt either to move a substantive motion or withdraw the assertion.
MR PRATT: Mr Speaker, I not believe that I have made a wild assertion.
MR SPEAKER: I have not made a ruling.
MR PRATT: I believe that I have made—
MR SPEAKER: I have not made a ruling. I think it is a pretty serious imputation against a member that they are trying to influence the outcome of an inquiry. I would ask you to withdraw that.
MR PRATT: Speaker, I shall abide by your ruling.
Mr Corbell: Withdraw it.
MR PRATT: I withdraw it. Mr Speaker.
MR SPEAKER: Thank you.
MR PRATT: Thanks, Simon. I do not need you to hand feed me, mate.
Mr Corbell: Well, you just need to do what the Speaker asked you to do.
MR PRATT: You just struggle over there with your petty nature.
Mr Corbell: You guys have been calling out all morning on this.
MR SPEAKER: Order!
MR PRATT: Mr Speaker, this move by Mr Corbell is a diversionary stunt. What else was Mr Stefaniak to do as the chair of an inquiry who had been struggling for some time to obtain documents, witnesses and evidence that he needed to collect as part of his duty? This is a smokescreen by Mr Corbell to discredit Mr Stefaniak. It is a diversion to cover the failings of this minister and the failings of this government in its management of emergency services.
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