Page 1121 - Week 03 - Thursday, 22 March 2012
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refers to the emails that have been discussed. But as we have discussed a number of times in this chamber, the government, the opposition or the crossbench should not have to table private notes or the like. As I said, we would be willing to support it if it was amended to say that it specifically related to the emails being discussed. But as it stands, I do actually agree with what Mr Smyth said. We should not be asking people to table emails and documents because I think we would get into a very difficult situation if that occurs.
MR HANSON (Molonglo) (2.26): I stand to speak in defence of the Chief Minister, because it is quite clear that what she wanted were some specific documents which, in fact, Mr Seselja has already tabled. She is obviously confused. What we are seeing is a case of sloppy drafting, a lack of attention to detail and a poorly considered motion. I think that the Chief Minister’s intent here was to have those specific documents tabled, which Mr Seselja has already tabled some five or 10 minutes ago. I think that she should be excused. Perhaps she would like to be invited to recast the motion, noting that they have already been tabled, and that we just acknowledge, as an Assembly, that this was not some ridiculous notion to change the whole parameters of democracy in the ACT and that she wants every document tabled in question time.
I am sure that was not her intent. I speak in her defence that she was not doing something so stupid, so naive and so cumbersome—that she was not trying to do that. I do not think that she is that stupid. I am speaking in her defence. I think this is just a lack of attention to detail. It was sloppy drafting. I do not think that we should be so unkind as to accuse the Chief Minister of something quite so stupid as to have asked for all documents to be tabled in that regard. Perhaps it would be wise if she were to recast the motion.
MR CORBELL (Molonglo—Attorney-General, Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Minister for the Environment and Sustainable Development) (2.28): Listening to those opposite, Gary Humphries would be proud. The straw man has been constructed and then has been knocked over in due course. That is exactly what we have heard from the Liberal Party today. They know what the Chief Minister is asking for. She is asking for documents.
Opposition members interjecting—
MR SPEAKER: Order, members!
MR CORBELL: They know what the Chief Minister is referring to. The Chief Minister—
Opposition members interjecting—
MR SPEAKER: Mr Corbell, one moment, thank you. Members, I have asked for restraint on the interjections. Mr Coe, I have just heard you interjecting again. So you are now warned. The offer remains to other members to join that list. Mr Corbell, you have the floor.
MR CORBELL: Thank you, Mr Speaker. They know what the Chief Minister is asking for. The real question that has to be asked is: why did they not just cough them
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