Page 5328 - Week 13 - Tuesday, 15 November 2011
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MS GALLAGHER (Molonglo—Chief Minister, Minister for Health and Minister for Industrial Relations) (5.15): I will rise to briefly put on the record clearly what the government was seeking to do today and to reject the allegations by Mrs Dunne that there was some untoward motivation. The advice was sought by the director-general, the territory parent, in order to clarify issues that had been raised in the report and to seek guidance from the Solicitor-General around the interpretation of the act as it related to the territory parent. This is not being run by the executive.
It was in discussions with the Minister for Community Services that I suggested she table in the Assembly for the information of members the government’s legal advice to Martin Hehir, as the director-general and the territory parent. It was not to do anything along the lines of what Mrs Dunne has suggested. It is unusual for the government to table their advice, but I felt, in the public interest that has been generated from the Public Advocate’s report, that it was important that that information be provided to members. And that was why Ms Burch this morning tabled that legal advice.
I think she was very clear that this was not about absolving responsibility, and if you read her statement—it is very short; it is to the point—it acknowledges the fact that the system did not work as all of us in this place would have hoped. But Mrs Dunne has come in here and raised further allegations around the motivations behind the minister. They are simply not true. The minister was trying to assist members in the performance of their duties. If you do not want us to provide you with information then that is fine. But in the interests of this piece of work, we thought it was the preferred way forward.
We will take the views of Mrs Dunne on notice and in future maybe we will not be as helpful as we can be, but please accept that at times we are trying to work collegiately and provide you with the advice that the government has. Okay? Yes, the Public Advocate believes there has been a breach of the law. The Government Solicitor, in advising the territory parent, has not supported that view. The government has played it straight down the line. Okay? But I think it is a bit rich for Mrs Dunne to come in here and start raising a whole range of allegations around the motivations of the minister. It is simply not true.
MR HARGREAVES (Brindabella) (5.18): I think it needs to be strongly put on the record that once again Mrs Dunne, at probably about the 85 per cent mark of her speech, has said something which is quite clearly incorrect. She said, “It is clear that the law was breached.” It is not. The Solicitor-General’s advice makes it very clear, categorically clear, unequivocally clear that the law was not breached. It is specific in that. What part of “it was not breached” do those opposite not know?
Mrs Dunne: He has given an opinion.
MR HARGREAVES: Mrs Dunne, would you please allow me to speak?
MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: Stop the clock, please. Thank you. Mrs Dunne, other members heard you in silence. Will you please do them the same courtesy.
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