Page 1650 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 1 May 2012
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in an identical manner—without favour, without fear, and with the integrity that was instilled in me by my parents.
I will put my integrity up for public scrutiny and public judgement against that of Mr Hanson any day—indeed, every day if necessary. In the performance of my duties, I have nothing to regret, to fear or to be embarrassed about. I say that with confidence—
Members interjecting—
MR SPEAKER: Order! One moment, Ms Gallagher, thank you. Order! Stop the clocks, thank you. Members, Mr Hanson was heard in silence. I expect Ms Gallagher to be treated with the same courtesy, thank you.
Members interjecting—
MR SPEAKER: One and a half minutes it took, and three of you spoke at once. It is not good enough. Ms Gallagher, you have the floor.
Mr Seselja interjecting—
MS GALLAGHER: Thank you—
MR SPEAKER: Order! One moment, Ms Gallagher. Mr Seselja, if you are going to make comments you might rise to your feet and have the integrity to do so.
Mr Seselja: I will just seek your guidance, Mr Speaker.
MR SPEAKER: Yes.
Mr Seselja: Is this the new standard—that no interjections are allowed when the Chief Minister is speaking? Is it the new standard that if it is a really important motion we are not allowed to interject, whatever the Chief Minister might be saying? Is that the new standard? We always seek your rulings on these things. I would just seek your explanation on that now.
MR SPEAKER: Yes, I am seeking to have the Chief Minister have the ability to be heard in silence so that she can make her defence in response to the accusations that Mr Hanson has just made. I think that is a basic courtesy that all members of this chamber would expect, given the gravity of the situation. Chief Minister.
MS GALLAGHER: Thank you, Mr Speaker.
I say that with confidence, because I know that I have always abided by the highest standards of probity and integrity.
I also think that the people of Canberra are pretty astute. Many of them will have worked for government directly or indirectly. They know that every day of the week ministers take in good faith information that is provided to them by departments and
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