Page 389 - Week 02 - Tuesday, 17 February 2015

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there were two parts to the question: when did he know and what did he do? Chief Minister, do you have anything to add to the answer?

MR BARR: Thank you, Madam Speaker. What I am doing is standing up for dignity, honesty and the respect that family members of members in this place deserve. That is what I will stand up for. I will stand up for standards in this place that do not stoop to the gutter. That is what I will stand up for, and I will not stand by and allow the Leader of the Opposition to bring down the reputation of a good organisation in Menslink and to bring down the reputation of a young man who is working so hard to rehabilitate his life. It is not fair. This question would not be asked if Lloyd Burch’s mother was not sitting two chairs down from me. And those opposite ought to reflect on that, because if that is the way politics is going to be played in this city, it is a disgrace. Jeremy Hanson is a disgrace.

Mr Hanson: Madam Speaker, on a point of order.

MADAM SPEAKER: On a point of order.

Mr Hanson: Calling members opposite a disgrace and attacking the opposition is not an answer.

MADAM SPEAKER: What is the point of order?

Mr Hanson: He needs to be relevant. On what date; when did the minister find out about this breach of law?

MADAM SPEAKER: I think the Chief Minister is answering the question in a way that fulfils the requirements of the standing orders. Do you have anything more to say, Chief Minister?

MR BARR: I have concluded, Madam Speaker.

MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Hanson.

MR HANSON: Chief Minister, on what date did you become aware of this breach of the law?

MR BARR: At the same time as other members of the community.

Mr Hanson: Madam Speaker, a point of order on relevance. I asked for a date. To simply say “when other people became aware” is not answering the question. He is not being relevant. My question was very specific, asking for a date. If the minister does not have the exact date, he could take that on notice.

MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Hanson, I think that is more a debating point. I cannot direct the Chief Minister to answer the question in the way that you would like. I think that that is a debating point.

Mr Hanson: Come on. It is a reasonable question to ask.


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