Page 3391 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 17 August 2011
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What sort of a system are we running here where the due process, the rights of the superintendent, are ignored? If this was a prisoner and due process was denied, you can just imagine the squealing from the Greens, from the government and from those who call for natural justice. This is bullying behaviour. It is quite simply bullying behaviour.
Mr Buchanan’s reputation, as a result of the government’s actions, has been trashed. He has not had his day in court; he has not been able to put his case forward. He has tried to through the media, but when we called for an inquiry in this place that would have given him his day in court—which he wanted; he wants it to come forth—it was denied.
I can understand why the government would do that. The government do not want this coming out because this is pretty embarrassing stuff for them. But why is it that the Greens are denying Mr Buchanan the ability to come forward and put forward his case? I simply cannot comprehend that. The reason that was given by Ms Bresnan when I previously called for this was that she was concerned about his mental state at the time—whether this was going to be damaging for Mr Buchanan. I can assure you, based on the conversations I have had with Mr Buchanan, that he is very eager to, and there is no concern with his wellbeing at all. He is keen to do it. I move the amendment circulated in my name.
MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Ms Le Couteur): Mr Hanson, it has been suggested to me that there may be some issues with your amendment, because on 23 June this year a very similar matter was debated. Has anything changed since then?
MR HANSON: Yes. Since then, the AFP—can we stop the clocks while we debate that?
MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER: Certainly. Stop the clocks.
MR HANSON: Since that matter was debated, the Australian Federal Police have written to Mr Buchanan and said that no investigation will be continuing and there is no case against him. That is a very significant change in the circumstances.
MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr Hanson. Your amendment may proceed.
MR HANSON: Thank you. I move:
Add new subparagraph (2)(d) and paragraph (3):
“(d) table in the Assembly, by close of business on 18 August 2011, all documents relating to Debbie Scattergood and her mistreatment by the ACT Government; and
(3) refer the termination of Mr Buchanan to the Justice and Community Safety Committee for inquiry.”.
What that amendment says is essentially twofold. One is that—
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