Page 2147 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 6 June 2018
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was ineligible to stand as a Senate candidate for the 2016 federal election after Ms Gallagher referred herself to the court for consideration of her eligibility.
The record is corrected. The High Court of Australia, acting as the Court of Disputed Returns, has ruled on this matter. I acknowledge the High Court’s ruling and place that formally on the record today as a substantive motion in this place. That ought to address Mrs Dunne’s concern in relation to the official record of this place with this amendment. It acknowledges the High Court’s ruling.
In relation to the question of the Governor-General, if it assists that we no longer have to debate this matter anymore, I apologise to the Governor-General formally this evening. This motion and the record of this will be forwarded to the Governor-General.
We acknowledge in this place in the Assembly this evening that the High Court of Australia, acting as the Court of Disputed Returns, ruled on 8 May 2018 that Ms Katy Gallagher was ineligible to stand as a Senate candidate for the 2016 federal election. This Assembly, through its review of standing orders, will be considering its procedures in relation to the process of filling any casual vacancies. That is recognised in paragraph (2)(b) of my amendment. I hope, Madam Speaker, that this will finally put an end to the matter.
MR RATTENBURY (Kurrajong) (6.13): Given the Chief Minister’s remarks, I do not believe there is a whole lot I need to add to the debate. The Greens will be supporting the Chief Minister’s amendment. I think it is a fair and accurate account of what has taken place. I certainly invite those members who remain affected by this to reflect, as we go through the review of standing orders, what different process we might put in place that does not interfere with the relative positions of the two parliaments and the role of the High Court.
Having been on the previous committee that reflected on this, I am not sure what this Assembly would do differently. I think we all now have the benefit of hindsight. I know people are thinking about their own citizenship status very carefully at the moment as they contemplate coming elections.
Everybody will be a lot wiser after this process. Whether that means the Assembly should change its processes is a different question and one that I would welcome members contributing their thoughts to as the administration and procedure committee reviews the standing orders.
MRS DUNNE (Ginninderra) (6.14): I thank the Chief Minister for his statement this evening and his undertaking to ensure that the acknowledgement is transmitted to the Governor-General. These issues in relation to standing orders should exercise our minds. The Chief Minister began his comments in a way that indicated that this is in some way about Ms Gallagher. It is not about Ms Gallagher; it is about the mistakes that we all made in relation to her appointment. I do not want in any way to reflect upon Ms Gallagher.
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