Mr BAILEY - 1997-04-22
Is it not a fact that the member for Braitling received a $10 507 pay increase when the Chief Minister appointed her directly as chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, contrary to the normal practice of the chairman being elected by the committee? Is it not a fact that her first substantial action as chairman was to shut down an inquiry before the committee was able to investigate the improper allocation of money to the North Australian Film Corporation from the Chief Minister's former department, in contradiction of the actions being followed by the previous chairman of the committee? Was she interviewed by police in relation to the complaints that I raised with them?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I am not sure whether to be flattered or staggered. They are all talking about the government being in election mode, yet the opposition has asked 3 questions of the chairman of the PAC. All I can say is that members opposite have let us of off lightly today. I am not quite sure why ...
Mr Bailey: Just answer the question.
Mr Stone: Perry Mason!
Members interjecting.
Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member for Wanguri is pushing his luck.
Mrs BRAHAM: Members know that the chairman of the PAC receives an allowance, and it is correct that I receive it. In the first meeting after the announcement in the House, the committee was aware that the procedure of appointing me in the House was inconsistent with previous practice. Consequently, the committee appointed me as chairman at that meeting. That resolution was passed by the committee.
Mr Bailey: We did not - never!
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Mrs BRAHAM: It is in the minutes. Read them. It was a motion passed in the committee. It was done quite legally within the committee.
Mr Bailey: Were you elected or appointed?
Mrs BRAHAM: I was elected by the committee. If the member reads the minutes of the meeting, he will see that I was elected by the committee.
Mr Bailey: Were you interviewed by the police?
Mrs BRAHAM: No, I was not interviewed by the police. I am not quite sure why you are running this story. I have never been interviewed by the police on this matter. Why should they interview me? I did not write to them. However, I believe you did because you have made it very public. They have not come near me. I do not think I can say it any more clearly than that.
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I am not sure whether to be flattered or staggered. They are all talking about the government being in election mode, yet the opposition has asked 3 questions of the chairman of the PAC. All I can say is that members opposite have let us of off lightly today. I am not quite sure why ...
Mr Bailey: Just answer the question.
Mr Stone: Perry Mason!
Members interjecting.
Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member for Wanguri is pushing his luck.
Mrs BRAHAM: Members know that the chairman of the PAC receives an allowance, and it is correct that I receive it. In the first meeting after the announcement in the House, the committee was aware that the procedure of appointing me in the House was inconsistent with previous practice. Consequently, the committee appointed me as chairman at that meeting. That resolution was passed by the committee.
Mr Bailey: We did not - never!
Page 2024
Mrs BRAHAM: It is in the minutes. Read them. It was a motion passed in the committee. It was done quite legally within the committee.
Mr Bailey: Were you elected or appointed?
Mrs BRAHAM: I was elected by the committee. If the member reads the minutes of the meeting, he will see that I was elected by the committee.
Mr Bailey: Were you interviewed by the police?
Mrs BRAHAM: No, I was not interviewed by the police. I am not quite sure why you are running this story. I have never been interviewed by the police on this matter. Why should they interview me? I did not write to them. However, I believe you did because you have made it very public. They have not come near me. I do not think I can say it any more clearly than that.
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Last updated: 09 Aug 2016