Page 1122 - Week 03 - Thursday, 22 March 2012
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up in the first place? Why have we had to go through this absurd process to get them to do a simple thing like tabling an email that they are asking about in question time?
Mr Hanson interjecting—
MR SPEAKER: Mr Hanson, you are now warned.
MR CORBELL: Why is that so hard? Why is that so difficult? Why is that a process that requires a motion on the floor of this place to extract it from them? That really is the question that they have to answer.
We know how the Liberal Party approach these issues. They have been taught, of course, by that master of debate in this place when it comes to these sorts of issues, the former Chief Minister, Mr Humphries. He would construct the straw man. He would construct the argument that was not actually being made by this side of the place but he would construct it. The assertion would be made: “This is what your argument is. And what a foolish argument it is too.”
But of course that is not what has occurred today. They know what the Chief Minister is asking for, and it would have been much simpler if they had just coughed it up in the first place, rather than have to go through this difficult and protracted process that we are now experiencing.
MR SPEAKER: Mrs Dunne, before you get the call, Mr Hanson, in case you did not hear me in the noise, during that discussion you were just warned for interjecting. Mrs Dunne, you have the floor. Are you seeking the floor still, Mrs Dunne? No. Mr Hargreaves.
MR HARGREAVES (Brindabella) (2.30): I will be very brief. One of the issues at play here, though, is the way in which the opposition play out their thematic attacks during question time. If you have a look back at their track record in this place, you will see—
Mr Smyth: On a point of order, Mr Speaker, opposition tactics are not what the motion is about.
MR SPEAKER: At this point, Mr Smyth, I think Mr Hargreaves is mounting his argument on some point he is going to make. I see your point, but I will see how this progresses. Mr Hargreaves, do focus on the topic at hand.
MR HARGREAVES: Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.
Mrs Dunne: Sorry, on the point of order, is it not customary, Mr Speaker, for members to sit down while you are making a ruling?
MR SPEAKER: Yes, it is, Mrs Dunne.
Mrs Dunne: Thank you.
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