Page 2709 - Week 09 - Thursday, 8 August 2013
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think all parties are active in that. I would like especially to acknowledge the fact that Steve Doszpot, on our side, is a refugee to this country and is a vocal voice within our party room. Whether it be refugees from Sudan or wherever they come from, we have a genuine concern. So I thank Ms Berry for recognising that.
This motion today is an attempt by a Green to raise a federal political issue shortly before a federal election as he thinks it will help his mate Simon Sheikh. I think we all understand that. It was not mentioned by those opposite, but it is quite clear that there has been a conversation between Mr Rattenbury and Mr Sheikh: “How can I try and further something that seems to be a bit of a wedge for you with the Labor Party on the left?”
I think it is disgusting that this member, who is always so pious, would come in here today and use such a difficult issue, which is clearly a federal issue and is not in the purview of this Assembly, in trying to raise a motion and raise concerns because he thinks there are some votes in it for his Green mate Simon Sheikh. Is anybody in doubt about that in this place? I do not think we are.
I know that, whether they will admit it or not, those members opposite in the Labor Party would know exactly what Mr Rattenbury is attempting to do, and I think it is disgusting. It is—
Mr Rattenbury: You’re grubby.
MR HANSON: Would you like to say that out loud, Mr Rattenbury—the interjection?
MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: Mr Hanson, Mr Rattenbury, do not—
Mr Rattenbury: I will make my comments when I stand up, Mr Hanson.
MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: Mr Rattenbury, please do not respond to interjections. Mr Hanson, you are not having a conversation between yourself and Mr Rattenbury. Address your comments to the Deputy Speaker.
MR HANSON: Certainly. So let us be clear what this is about. I think that it is grubby politics, it is dog whistling, it is a lot of things and it is bad because of that. I think it is also an inappropriate debate to be having in this place. This is not a venue to run out federal campaigns. This is not a venue for Mr Rattenbury to campaign federally for the Greens, which is what he is attempting to do. There is no question that that is the case.
We all spend our time here so that Mr Rattenbury can have his special executive members’ business, because he is special in this place. I am sure that it was not the intent of Katy Gallagher, when she signed that agreement, that that time, the valuable time of this Assembly, be used for the Greens member—sometimes a minister, sometimes a crossbencher, sometimes a federal Greens advocate, as he is—to run out these sorts of motions.
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