Page 1052 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 17 March 2010
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Mr Smyth: Why didn’t you? You are the minister. All they want is a meeting with you.
MR BARR: Because I was at the tourism awards, Mr Smyth. I have other portfolio responsibilities. I have other responsibilities.
Mr Smyth: The tourism awards have lasted for the last 12 months?
MR BARR: You are a grub, Brendan. You are a cheesy little grub. Madam Assistant Speaker, given the persistent—
Mr Seselja: On a point of order, Madam Assistant Speaker, Andrew Barr has been hurling insults all afternoon. He was forced to withdraw one earlier on. I ask him again to withdraw the personal imputation against Mr Smyth. He is performing disgracefully and he should be called to order for this name-calling and this attitude that we have seen from him today. He has acted like a coward, and he should be asked to withdraw.
MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Ms Le Couteur): Mr Barr, do you wish to continue or withdraw?
Mr Smyth: What about the point of order?
MR BARR: I have got more. I have got a minute to go, but if Mr Smyth is offended, I will withdraw.
Mr Seselja: Sorry, there was a point of order, Madam Assistant Speaker, on “the grub”.
MR BARR: If Mr Smyth is offended, I will withdraw. I will withdraw and I will continue.
MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER: He appears to be offended.
MR BARR: Indeed, it would appear so. So, yes, I withdraw, Madam Assistant Speaker.
MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr Barr. Please continue.
MR BARR: This issue is not about how many times I have met with the industry. The government has met with the industry on a number of occasions, and we continue to do so. But I repeat: I am not the automatic teller machine for the racing industry; this government is not the automatic teller machine for the racing industry. We will critically analyse the proposals that have been put forward to us. They have put forward an ambit claim, as you would expect any industry to do. I repeat: what we are arguing about is the level of increase in funding for the industry. The alternative is simply to return to the previous funding model, and the industry can do its best based on that.
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