Page 185 - Week 01 - Wednesday, 15 February 2012
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I think this is not a reasonable thing to interrupt question time for. We actually have a job to do here. What we should be doing is scrutinising the government and continuing question time rather than interrupting for something that is totally out of the purview of the ACT government.
MR CORBELL (Molonglo—Attorney-General, Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Minister for the Environment and Sustainable Development) (2.43): There are absolutely no grounds for this motion. Dr Bourke has cut the legs completely out from under the Liberal Party. What does the motion ask for? The motion asks for Dr Bourke to identify the staff member who took the phone call from the Prime Minister’s office. He has done so. He has done so. They got it wrong, Mr Speaker. They got it wrong. They got it wrong because they thought it was somebody. Dr Bourke has just stood up and told them that they are wrong. They are wrong. It was Dr Bourke’s chief of staff. He is on the record as saying that it was his chief of staff.
There are no grounds any more for the motion. Let us make that point. But let us also make the point about the other questions that the Liberal Party want to raise about this matter. They want to know why Ms Sattler was referred to as the contact point. Anyone who understands how the Aboriginal tent embassy works would know that UnionsACT is the designated liaison point for engagement between the media and the government authorities and the—
Opposition members interjecting—
MR SPEAKER: Order, members!
MR CORBELL: It has been a longstanding practice. It is a longstanding practice.
Members interjecting—
MR SPEAKER: Order, members! Order, Ms Gallagher and Mr Seselja. I cannot hear Mr Corbell over the catcalling across the chamber. Given that Mr Corbell has a strong voice, that is quite a reflection on all of you. Mr Corbell, you have the floor.
MR CORBELL: Mr Speaker, it is a longstanding practice that when it comes to liaison with the Aboriginal tent embassy and its inhabitants, it occurs through UnionsACT. UnionsACT have taken the decision that they are the body interested in securing—
Mr Seselja interjecting—
MR SPEAKER: Mr Seselja, thank you.
Mr Doszpot interjecting—
MR SPEAKER: Members, I ask for some silence so I can actually hear Mr Corbell. I will start warning people in a moment. Mr Corbell, you have the floor.
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