Page 4794 - Week 13 - Tuesday, 27 November 2018
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
In a sense, it is no skin off my nose if this matter goes unaddressed and the matter sits on the notice paper as a constant reflection on and rebuke of the Minister for Health and Wellbeing. Quite frankly, the Labor Party would be better to deal with this matter, and if they do not think that it is an issue then they can stand up in this place and say how they support the Minister for Health and Wellbeing. They can line up in numbers to say that she is the greatest thing since sliced bread. The fact that they will not do it shows that they have a problem with their minister. They will let this fester on the notice paper rather than address the issue, rather than protect their own, because actually, in their heart of hearts, they know that they are failing the people of Canberra on this issue.
It is imperative that the area of the ACT budget where we spend the most is addressed when it is failing as comprehensively as it is failing under this minister and this government. It has got worse and worse and under this minister it has gone into rapid decline. A few years ago the head of the AMA said that if we did not do something the wheels would fall off. Madam Speaker, I am telling you that the wheels are falling off and this minister is the one who is responsible, and this government is unable and unwilling to address the issues.
It is important, it is imperative, that the issues raised in the censure motion be dealt with immediately. That is why I am moving the suspension of standing orders to allow this Assembly to do what it needs to do.
MR GENTLEMAN (Brindabella—Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Minister for Planning and Land Management, Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Minister assisting the Chief Minister on Advanced Technology and Space Industries) (10.07): This suspension motion should not be supported; let us be very clear. We have a very good minister who has been delivering for the people of Canberra. We have a minister who is hardworking and respected across her portfolio areas. This is nothing more than a stunt from the opposition designed to distract from their failings, their failure to have ideas and vision for this great territory. In contrast, this government continues to deliver for a growing city, making Canberra an even better city.
Look at the agenda we have in this place this week. We have very important bills to consider this week, including the integrity commission bill. We have six bills to consider and a further nine bills to deal with. The opposition, the acolytes of Abbott, Dutton, Morrison and Seselja, the supposed bastions of conservatism and tradition, are void of ideas, and this stunt is right out of the Abbott playbook.
We will keep on with the business of this Assembly—
Members interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Resume your seat, please. Members, there was some interjection when Mrs Dunne was speaking but in the main she was allowed to deliver what she wanted to say. Mr Gentleman.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video