Page 2866 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 29 June 2011
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Another thing that needs to be taken into consideration is that Ms Gallagher is hiding behind Sir Laurence Street’s recommendations, saying, “Sir Laurence Street said it was cabinet-in-confidence, so we do not have to do anything about that.” In the climate of openness and accountability, in the sort of vague FOI reform that the Chief Minister spoke about last week—if we were serious about this, a document that is now five years old would have very little relevance to current discussions in cabinet. If this minister was serious about openness and accountability, she would put it on the table and say: “There it is. It explains why we did all those things that were unpalatable. Now the people of the ACT will understand.” Until this minister does that, the people of the ACT will rightly be of the view that they were duped—that the reasons that were given were false reasons, and that this government has something to hide.
As I said before, this was a test. This was a test for the Gallagher government. It has turned out to be a test for the Gallagher-Hunter government, and the Gallagher-Hunter government has failed—a big fat F for the Gallagher-Hunter government and a great loss for the people of the ACT.
I commend Mr Seselja for bringing this matter here today. I do not care whether the government is tired of hearing of it and I do not care whether the Greens are tired of hearing of it. We will continue to represent the best interests of the people of the ACT and continue to press for the publication of this document. I commend the motion to the Assembly.
Ms Hunter: Madam Deputy Speaker, a point of order.
MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: Yes, Ms Hunter.
Ms Hunter: I would like Mrs Dunne to withdraw statements where she has basically said that my motivation here is around having some sort of higher salary and taking on some other position. This is an outrage from the person who has been complaining about personal statements made in this chamber in the last day or so. I find it outrageous and offensive, and I ask her to withdraw her statements.
Mr Seselja interjecting—
MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: Mr Seselja, will you please be quiet. Ms Hunter, in relation to that matter, you may make a statement under standing order 46 at a later stage today.
Ms Hunter: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I will take that offer up.
MR SESELJA (Molonglo—Leader of the Opposition) (5.06), in reply: No-one else is going to speak, I understand. I thank members for their contributions. I do find the new position, the latest position, of the Greens on this issue to be curious. I am sure I distinctly heard a speech from Ms Hunter that was suggesting that they were after this kind of report. In fact, I heard a speech that said we should be urging the government to release it. Well, that is what this motion does. This motion calls on the government
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