Page 3220 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 16 August 2011
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MR CORBELL (Molonglo—Attorney-General, Minister for the Environment and Sustainable Development, Minister for Territory and Municipal Services and Minister for Police and Emergency Services) (11.38): The government will not be supporting Mr Smyth’s amendment. Mr Speaker, the issue is one of a proportionate and reasonable response to comments that, whilst unwise, were certainly not comments which could be in any way construed to suggest that you, Mr Speaker, are unable to continue to conduct your role fairly and impartially. That is really the fundamental issue here. First and foremost, the Speaker must be able to conduct himself or herself fairly and impartially in the performance of their duties in this place. The government have consistently said that we believe you are able to do so and that we have full confidence in your capacity to continue in that role. The Liberals seem to be construing that issue with another issue which, whilst regrettable, is not one which can be said to go to the heart of your functions in this place in the day-to-day workings of this place. For that reason, Mr Speaker, the government believe that the amendment proposed by Mr Smyth is unreasonable.
Mr Speaker, I think it is worth reiterating—and my words have been misconstrued by those opposite, but that is no surprise—that the government do not, and I do not, in any way condone the actions that we have seen reported in relation to the CSIRO plant research facility. I would remind those opposite that no finding of guilt has been made in relation to that matter yet. It is before the courts and it is for the courts to determine whether or not an illegal act has been committed. Certainly, on the face of what we have seen, we can draw conclusions about what has occurred and certainly from the videos that have been made available it appears to be wanton destruction of private property, but that is ultimately a matter for the courts to determine. We have heard comments from those opposite who have said that comments made by the Speaker have condoned illegal activity. It is allegedly illegal activity. It is yet to be proven and it needs to be proven in the courts.
But that aside, Mr Speaker, the fact is that this side of the Assembly maintains its confidence in you. With respect to this issue, we believe your comments were unwise, but we do not believe that that goes to the heart of the ability for you to fairly and impartially undertake your function. That is why the government does not support this amendment by Mr Smyth.
MR SESELJA (Molonglo—Leader of the Opposition) (11.42): Here we have now a new position from the government put by Mr Corbell. On the one hand they have accepted many of the arguments that we put forward today that what the Speaker did in his public statements was wrong. It was not in the best interests of this parliament and it was inappropriate for a person in that position to make statements of that kind. They have acknowledged that. But they now put the position to us that they will not support any actions in relation to those statements. They will not support a censure and they will not support a no confidence. But Mr Corbell has further clarified it now and has said: “Well, that’s because these people haven’t even been found guilty yet. Perhaps if the Greenpeace protesters are found guilty, that will somehow be different.”
I suppose he is inviting the Assembly to reconsider this matter some time down the track should there actually be a finding of guilt in the case that will come before the
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