Mr BELL - 1996-05-15
We know that the Country Liberal Party administration paid more than $23 000 of Territory taxpayers' money for the member for Sanderson's private legal expenses. We know that the member for Sanderson cannot tell Territorians what he received through the private settlement of his publicly-funded action against the NT News. Did the member for Sanderson advise the Cabinet of the terms of settlement? If so, did he do that before or after he concluded the settlement agreement? Or did he not do it at all?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, it would have been interesting if this question had been asked some months ago. If it had been, it is probable that all the kerfuffle and carry-on by the member for MacDonnell could have been avoided, instead of a period ensuing during which he has made a fool of himself. We know the reason behind his use of the processes of the parliament. It is a shame to see a man who had potential degenerate to such an extent that he has a fixation about saying 'sorry'.
With regard to his allegation that I received $23 000 from the government for a private legal action, no such thing occurred. The government did pay legal fees in relation to action related to my job as a minister. Secondly, one of the terms of the settlement that was arrived at was that it remain confidential. However, I can say very clearly and concisely that at no time did I receive any financial benefit at all in relation to any settlement - none whatsoever. The settlement was made on the basis of correspondence which was agreed to. That is the issue.
Over a number of months, the member for MacDonnell has used the processes of this House by foreshadowing motions and jumping up to initiate discussions. The matter was never to be debated until today. He has used the forms of the House to continually repeat untrue assertions to such an extent that he has fooled one member of the media who, on one
Page 1353
occasion, even had a story under his byline that stated that I had received a payment of $24 000. In fact, no such thing occurred.
Mr Stirling interjecting.
Mr MANZIE: I ask the member for Nhulunbuy to keep quiet while I am trying to explain the circumstances.
Members interjecting.
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Mr MANZIE: With regard to the allegation that there is somehow or other a tax matter that would relate to my receiving some financial benefit or some other benefit, no such thing has occurred. Therefore, the issue of taxation is not relevant at all.
The allegation has been made in this House on a number of occasions by the member for MacDonnell that, somehow or other, I have contravened the law in failing to indicate in the Register of Members' Interests the beneficial settlement I have received. Obviously, if I have received no settlement, there is nothing to register.
Mr Bell: You cannot have it both ways.
Mr MANZIE: I ask that the member for MacDonnell keep his mouth closed. He has been given free rein in this House to continue with his grubby allegations. He has been unfettered because he has used the process of foreshadowing motions for General Business Day which meant that the matter was not debated. He did not ask this question until today because he knew probably that the answer he would receive would cut him down.
Mr Bell interjecting.
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Mr MANZIE: He is becoming upset because his foolish comments in the past couple of months are now coming home to roost. We know his record in the House. In fact, his part in the issue has been spelt out very clearly on a number of occasions over past years. When he was given an opportunity to tender an apology for his behaviour, not only did he fail to do so but has tried continually to weasel out of doing so and to attempt to find ways and means of justifying his behaviour. It should be mentioned that his continual public comments about ministers of this House have landed him in trouble on a number of occasions. I think they will continue to take him into trouble.
Mr Ede interjecting.
Mr MANZIE: I think the member for Stuart should reflect a little on his behaviour in the past in this House, which I have found to be most proper in relation to this issue. I ask him not to blemish his very good record. He will recall that he was the only opposition member in the House who did not join the member for MacDonnell in his grubby escapade. When the
Page 1354
member for MacDonnell's miserable effort became clear, many people respected the member for Stuart's approach to the issue. I would suggest that, in relation to this matter, he should note what will occur later today. There will be a number ...
Mr Stirling interjecting.
Mr MANZIE: The member for Nhulunbuy likes to make a bit of noise. The empty vessel makes the most sound.
Later today, legal documentation will be tabled to reinforce what I said this morning. I reiterate that I received no benefit whatsoever - not a single cent. Any allegations regarding the pecuniary interests of members are baseless. Any allegations regarding any contravention of the Self-Government Act are baseless. Any allegations that relate to taxation claims are baseless. This is an attempt by the member for MacDonnell to try to justify what was absolutely abominable behaviour, and to try to weasel out of obligations that he has. I would remind the honourable member that he has shot his bolt. His performance in this House has probably reached rock-bottom. I think that the Leader of the Opposition needs really to take control of him. Starting in her new job, I think she needs to ensure that she controls him and he does not control her.
Page 1355
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, it would have been interesting if this question had been asked some months ago. If it had been, it is probable that all the kerfuffle and carry-on by the member for MacDonnell could have been avoided, instead of a period ensuing during which he has made a fool of himself. We know the reason behind his use of the processes of the parliament. It is a shame to see a man who had potential degenerate to such an extent that he has a fixation about saying 'sorry'.
With regard to his allegation that I received $23 000 from the government for a private legal action, no such thing occurred. The government did pay legal fees in relation to action related to my job as a minister. Secondly, one of the terms of the settlement that was arrived at was that it remain confidential. However, I can say very clearly and concisely that at no time did I receive any financial benefit at all in relation to any settlement - none whatsoever. The settlement was made on the basis of correspondence which was agreed to. That is the issue.
Over a number of months, the member for MacDonnell has used the processes of this House by foreshadowing motions and jumping up to initiate discussions. The matter was never to be debated until today. He has used the forms of the House to continually repeat untrue assertions to such an extent that he has fooled one member of the media who, on one
Page 1353
occasion, even had a story under his byline that stated that I had received a payment of $24 000. In fact, no such thing occurred.
Mr Stirling interjecting.
Mr MANZIE: I ask the member for Nhulunbuy to keep quiet while I am trying to explain the circumstances.
Members interjecting.
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Mr MANZIE: With regard to the allegation that there is somehow or other a tax matter that would relate to my receiving some financial benefit or some other benefit, no such thing has occurred. Therefore, the issue of taxation is not relevant at all.
The allegation has been made in this House on a number of occasions by the member for MacDonnell that, somehow or other, I have contravened the law in failing to indicate in the Register of Members' Interests the beneficial settlement I have received. Obviously, if I have received no settlement, there is nothing to register.
Mr Bell: You cannot have it both ways.
Mr MANZIE: I ask that the member for MacDonnell keep his mouth closed. He has been given free rein in this House to continue with his grubby allegations. He has been unfettered because he has used the process of foreshadowing motions for General Business Day which meant that the matter was not debated. He did not ask this question until today because he knew probably that the answer he would receive would cut him down.
Mr Bell interjecting.
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Mr MANZIE: He is becoming upset because his foolish comments in the past couple of months are now coming home to roost. We know his record in the House. In fact, his part in the issue has been spelt out very clearly on a number of occasions over past years. When he was given an opportunity to tender an apology for his behaviour, not only did he fail to do so but has tried continually to weasel out of doing so and to attempt to find ways and means of justifying his behaviour. It should be mentioned that his continual public comments about ministers of this House have landed him in trouble on a number of occasions. I think they will continue to take him into trouble.
Mr Ede interjecting.
Mr MANZIE: I think the member for Stuart should reflect a little on his behaviour in the past in this House, which I have found to be most proper in relation to this issue. I ask him not to blemish his very good record. He will recall that he was the only opposition member in the House who did not join the member for MacDonnell in his grubby escapade. When the
Page 1354
member for MacDonnell's miserable effort became clear, many people respected the member for Stuart's approach to the issue. I would suggest that, in relation to this matter, he should note what will occur later today. There will be a number ...
Mr Stirling interjecting.
Mr MANZIE: The member for Nhulunbuy likes to make a bit of noise. The empty vessel makes the most sound.
Later today, legal documentation will be tabled to reinforce what I said this morning. I reiterate that I received no benefit whatsoever - not a single cent. Any allegations regarding the pecuniary interests of members are baseless. Any allegations regarding any contravention of the Self-Government Act are baseless. Any allegations that relate to taxation claims are baseless. This is an attempt by the member for MacDonnell to try to justify what was absolutely abominable behaviour, and to try to weasel out of obligations that he has. I would remind the honourable member that he has shot his bolt. His performance in this House has probably reached rock-bottom. I think that the Leader of the Opposition needs really to take control of him. Starting in her new job, I think she needs to ensure that she controls him and he does not control her.
Page 1355
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016