Page 3376 - Week 11 - Wednesday, 18 September 2013
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Mr Smyth: The quickest corrigendum in the history of Australia.
MR BARR: That is right. It was there and it was delivered, and the funding was announced.
Mr Smyth: It was out.
MR BARR: If it is out, then how can Joe Hockey claim it as a saving? The funding was there. The funding was announced, and it has now been cut. I understand that the first the NICTA board knew about this was on 5 September, two days before the federal election. They have a signed deed of funding from the commonwealth government that is now apparently to be dishonoured by the new government. That is a disgraceful situation.
For someone who spoke not too long ago—and I quote Mr Smyth who said that NICTA is worthy of all the support that it gets—who did not contribute at all to this debate today and who had nothing to say about his federal colleagues’ position in relation to funding for NICTA, it is a disgrace. And it is a disgrace that the Leader of the Opposition is silent on this issue as well. There has been no leadership, no contribution at all from anyone other than you, Mr Assistant Speaker. If the Leader of the Opposition, in response to this amendment, would like to put on the record his disagreement with the position of his federal counterparts, that would be a most welcome development.
I note that in your contribution, Mr Assistant Speaker, although you indicated support for NICTA, you made no comment at all about and sought to deny the reality of the funding cut. I would hope that you would at least acknowledge that Joe Hockey was not lying on 5 September when he outlined a $42 million cut to NICTA. Everyone agrees that Joe Hockey was not lying when he said that the commonwealth government would cut $42 million from NICTA. I presume that that issue is not contested.
MR ASSISTANT SPEAKER: Could you resume your seat. Thank you, Mr Barr. Just before you resume, the standing orders refer to offensive words in this way:
A Member may not use offensive words against the Assembly or any Member thereof or against any member of the judiciary.
I would like you to keep that in mind. Technically you are outside the bounds but—
MR BARR: Mr Hockey is not a member of this place nor is he a member of the judiciary.
MR ASSISTANT SPEAKER: You could use a little decorum. He is a member of parliament, Mr Barr, and I ask you to use a certain amount of decorum. Thank you. Please resume.
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