Mrs HICKEY - 1998-10-06
The current Chief Minister abused us when Labor pushed for a democratic constitutional convention. Labor drafted 3 unambiguous referendum questions and Labor called for the statehood referendum to be held separately to the federal election. Labor urged for Territorians to be provided with accurate information on statehood, not propaganda. Why did the Chief Minister ignore Labor’s calls? Does he now accept the move to statehood must involve both sides of this House, that he must stop treating other Territorians as fools and he must get out of the process himself in order to enable it to go ahead?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I think it is bigger than that. I think we all have to get out of the process. I think this is a matter beyond the politicians including those that sit opposite.
Yes, government and this parliament will have a role to play particularly in negotiations, but you are still not hearing the message.
Mrs Hickey: Yes we are.
Mr STONE: Well I doubt it. My political opponents, the Labor Party, are essentially coming into this Chamber and saying: ‘Well, we told you so’.
Mr Stirling: Yeah, we did!
Mrs Hickey: We did!
Mr STONE: Can I be heard, Madam Speaker, without the constant interjections?
Madam SPEAKER: Yes, Chief Minister. I was allowing a certain amount of leeway from the Opposition today because I realise this is an emotional point. Members of the Opposition, just remember that you have been told to keep interjections short and sharp.
Mr STONE: The bottom line in all this is that it is all very well after the event to come in here and say: ‘I told you so’.
Mrs Hickey: Well, we told you!
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, do you want your question to be answered?
Mrs HICKEY: Yes.
Madam SPEAKER: Well, then I suggest you allow the Chief Minister time to answer.
Mr STONE: Remember this: If that is what you really all thought, why did you get to your feet and support the yes case? Why did you not have the courage of your convictions? Why did you not have the courage of your convictions to stand by what you really thought?
Madam Speaker, as I said, I am not here today to attack them, the Opposition. I wear this, I cop it, I accept full responsibility.
Ms MARTIN: Point of order, Madam Speaker! A very specific part of our question was why the Chief Minister ignored a whole range of Labor calls. I would like him to answer the question.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fannie Bay, the Chief Minister is having difficulty in getting his answer even heard. Chief Minister, continue.
Mr STONE: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I again make the point that it is all very smart after the event to say: ‘I told you so’. But where was the courage of their convictions when it came to voting in this House? They did not have the backbone to stand up for what they really believed in.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I think it is bigger than that. I think we all have to get out of the process. I think this is a matter beyond the politicians including those that sit opposite.
Yes, government and this parliament will have a role to play particularly in negotiations, but you are still not hearing the message.
Mrs Hickey: Yes we are.
Mr STONE: Well I doubt it. My political opponents, the Labor Party, are essentially coming into this Chamber and saying: ‘Well, we told you so’.
Mr Stirling: Yeah, we did!
Mrs Hickey: We did!
Mr STONE: Can I be heard, Madam Speaker, without the constant interjections?
Madam SPEAKER: Yes, Chief Minister. I was allowing a certain amount of leeway from the Opposition today because I realise this is an emotional point. Members of the Opposition, just remember that you have been told to keep interjections short and sharp.
Mr STONE: The bottom line in all this is that it is all very well after the event to come in here and say: ‘I told you so’.
Mrs Hickey: Well, we told you!
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, do you want your question to be answered?
Mrs HICKEY: Yes.
Madam SPEAKER: Well, then I suggest you allow the Chief Minister time to answer.
Mr STONE: Remember this: If that is what you really all thought, why did you get to your feet and support the yes case? Why did you not have the courage of your convictions? Why did you not have the courage of your convictions to stand by what you really thought?
Madam Speaker, as I said, I am not here today to attack them, the Opposition. I wear this, I cop it, I accept full responsibility.
Ms MARTIN: Point of order, Madam Speaker! A very specific part of our question was why the Chief Minister ignored a whole range of Labor calls. I would like him to answer the question.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fannie Bay, the Chief Minister is having difficulty in getting his answer even heard. Chief Minister, continue.
Mr STONE: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I again make the point that it is all very smart after the event to say: ‘I told you so’. But where was the courage of their convictions when it came to voting in this House? They did not have the backbone to stand up for what they really believed in.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016