Mrs HICKEY - 1996-10-10
Yesterday, the Country Liberal Party's Senator Tambling said he supported moving the debate on the Liberal member for Menzies' anti-Territory bill into Canberra's side Chamber. In a damning betrayal of the rights of parliamentary assembly, Senator Tambling said he did not want the debate about this attack on the Territory's Self-Government Act interfering with the Coalition government's legislative program. Between now and Christmas, he said, `there are many more important priorities'. Will the Chief Minister include, in this parliament's Remonstrance to the federal parliament, a condemnation of the Country Liberal Party's representatives in Canberra to clearly convey to the federal parliament the fact that the comments of Senator Grant Tambling and of Nick Dondas do not reflect the wishes of Territorians?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, again, the Leader of the Opposition ...
Mr Bailey: It must be Bob Collins's fault.
Mr Stirling interjecting.
Mr STONE: There goes the member for Wanguri, interjecting again, joined by the member for Nhulunbuy.
Members interjecting.
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Mr STONE: Again, the Leader of the Opposition has been very selective in quoting the federal member and Senator Tambling. What she has conveniently left out is what was reported on the Channel 8 news last night. Senator Tambling said: `The euthanasia debate ought very properly to be one for private members' consideration, and I do not think Mr Dondas's vote on a procedural matter has any bearing on the debate whatsoever'. As I have said, that is one view of it. I have been very forthright in my view that it is a matter that should be debated on the floor of the House of Representatives. There is absolutely no
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division on this side as to where that debate should occur. I am sure that all Territorians join with me in saying that, come the day of the debate on the Andrews bill, it will ...
Mr Bailey interjecting.
Mr STONE: It is very hard to make oneself heard, Mr Speaker. The member for Wanguri interjects again. The Leader of the Opposition comes in here and says that it is all dirty pool yet, constantly, government ministers cannot be heard because of the tirade of interjections.
Members interjecting.
Mr STONE: It is very hard for people sitting at home who want to listen to this broadcast.
Quite clearly, all Territorians share the view that this debate should be occurring on the floor of the House of Representatives. It is certainly my view, and the view of all CLP members, that this unwarranted intrusion into the affairs of Territorians has no foundation at all.
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, again, the Leader of the Opposition ...
Mr Bailey: It must be Bob Collins's fault.
Mr Stirling interjecting.
Mr STONE: There goes the member for Wanguri, interjecting again, joined by the member for Nhulunbuy.
Members interjecting.
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Mr STONE: Again, the Leader of the Opposition has been very selective in quoting the federal member and Senator Tambling. What she has conveniently left out is what was reported on the Channel 8 news last night. Senator Tambling said: `The euthanasia debate ought very properly to be one for private members' consideration, and I do not think Mr Dondas's vote on a procedural matter has any bearing on the debate whatsoever'. As I have said, that is one view of it. I have been very forthright in my view that it is a matter that should be debated on the floor of the House of Representatives. There is absolutely no
Page 1666
division on this side as to where that debate should occur. I am sure that all Territorians join with me in saying that, come the day of the debate on the Andrews bill, it will ...
Mr Bailey interjecting.
Mr STONE: It is very hard to make oneself heard, Mr Speaker. The member for Wanguri interjects again. The Leader of the Opposition comes in here and says that it is all dirty pool yet, constantly, government ministers cannot be heard because of the tirade of interjections.
Members interjecting.
Mr STONE: It is very hard for people sitting at home who want to listen to this broadcast.
Quite clearly, all Territorians share the view that this debate should be occurring on the floor of the House of Representatives. It is certainly my view, and the view of all CLP members, that this unwarranted intrusion into the affairs of Territorians has no foundation at all.
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Last updated: 09 Aug 2016