27 August 2008

Liberals have a moan and bitch because they can't get their own act together after 4 years of sittings

| Jonathon Reynolds
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ABC News Online is reporting that the Liberals are unhappy that Standing Orders in the Assembly were suspended and thus unable to introduce five private members bills.

Whilst the use of majority government to shut down debate or any assembly proceedings is in itself a travesty of democracy, but in this case the Liberals really do not have a leg to stand on given that notice of their bills was only given yesterday and from inspection of the bill titles none of them appear critical:

  • MR SESELJA: To present a Bill for an Act to amend the Duties Act 1999 to provide concessions for certain people in relation to home ownership. (Notice given 26 August 2008).
  • MR SESELJA: To present a Bill for an Act to provide for the development of the civic central area, and for other purposes. (Notice given 26 August 2008).
  • MRS BURKE: To present a Bill for an Act to amend the Health Professionals Act 2004, and for related purposes. (Notice given 26 August 2008).
  • MR STEFANIAK: To present a Bill for an Act to amend the Adoption Act 1993. (Notice given 26 August 2008).
  • MR PRATT: To present a Bill for an Act to amend the Emergencies Act 2004. (Notice given 26 August 2008).

What were they thinking?

Given that there has been four years of Assembly sittings with ample opportunity to introduce new private members business why attempt to present these bills on the last possible day before the Assembly rises and enters caretaker mode at the end of the week.

[ED – On the other hand Deb Foskey is thrilled she’s been able to get her laws passed to protect activists from frivolous litigation, supported by Labor and Liberal]

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I was interested in Bill’s adoption law – dunno what it is though – and we may never find out now.

Pity they missed the opportunity to reverse the miserable law which stops motor vehicle passengers receiving recompense for damages when no-one can be charged with an offence/crime.

I would suggest none of the five bills presented have the importance of correcting this legal bastardry!

Jonathon Reynolds said :

@Whistle
I did not lodge any preselection paperwork as I had decided not to proceed. Facts should be verified before statements are made.

That actually doesn’t contradict anything that Whistle said. A failure to do something on time can be on purpose or by accident/incompetence.

Whatsup said :

Its like children that leave their school project until the last possible moment.

I found that that worked quite well for me.

Jonathon Reynolds9:24 am 28 Aug 08

@Whistle
I did not lodge any preselection paperwork as I had decided not to proceed. Facts should be verified before statements are made.

Crikey is right. Jonathan was keen on Liberal preselection and told people that he would nominate. But when nominations closed he had failed to put his forms in on time. Indeed it is a bit like a kid who forgets to lodge the assignment and cannot graduate to the next level.

There’s always simcity …

Its like children that leave their school project until the last possible moment. If all of these issues were valued then they would have been submitted earlier. A poor attempt of attention seeking in the lead up to the election.

This comment by Deb Foskey is a rare example of graciousness in political discourse – I commend her for it:

“I am happy to take this opportunity to applaud the Government and the Liberal Party for their support for my Bill, which reinforces the right of political expression.”

“The passage of this Bill with the eventual support of all parties is an illustration of how the Assembly works best when parties cooperate on important legislation.”

(Possibly aided by the fact that she’s retiring at the upcoming election)

This is the first I’ve heard that the Greens have a national project to get up anti-SLAPP laws – but I’m bloody happy to hear it (and even happier that they seem to be getting support from other parties for it, too!).

Twas a good political move. Means they have got a headline and made some noise.

*boom boom*

: D

If it was an ‘erection’ they were getting, that would explain why they wanted to keep sitting for a while…

What do you call a bill that gives you an erection?
A hard ‘Act’ to follow.

Gungahlin Al5:39 pm 27 Aug 08

Oops – meant to just clip the “sounds like selection” bit…

Back to my editing (suitably chastened Skid)… only 123 pages to go.

Well, that was a scandal. Glad I read it here first.

Gungahlin Al said :

…It starts with E and ends with N…

Resurrection?

This is from the man who reads Commonwealth Style for shits and giggles, people…

Are you sure you want him running Gungahlin as his hobby?

Gungahlin Al5:11 pm 27 Aug 08

“I’ll give you the reason in just one word. It starts with E and ends with N and sounds very much like the word “selection”.”

Resurrection?

I thought of it too. I was just too classy to say it 🙂

Mr Evil said :

Wide Boy Jake said :

QUOTE: What were they thinking?

Given that there has been four years of Assembly sittings with ample opportunity to introduce new private members business why attempt to present these bills on the last possible day before the Assembly rises and enters caretaker mode at the end of the week. UNQUOTE

I’ll give you the reason in just one word. It starts with E and ends with N and sounds very much like the word “selection”.

Erection?

GOD DAMN IT!

Wide Boy Jake said :

QUOTE: What were they thinking?

Given that there has been four years of Assembly sittings with ample opportunity to introduce new private members business why attempt to present these bills on the last possible day before the Assembly rises and enters caretaker mode at the end of the week. UNQUOTE

I’ll give you the reason in just one word. It starts with E and ends with N and sounds very much like the word “selection”.

Submitting bills with little notice gives them an erection?

Eww.

Wide Boy Jake said :

QUOTE: What were they thinking?

Given that there has been four years of Assembly sittings with ample opportunity to introduce new private members business why attempt to present these bills on the last possible day before the Assembly rises and enters caretaker mode at the end of the week. UNQUOTE

I’ll give you the reason in just one word. It starts with E and ends with N and sounds very much like the word “selection”.

Erection?

Wide Boy Jake4:36 pm 27 Aug 08

QUOTE: What were they thinking?

Given that there has been four years of Assembly sittings with ample opportunity to introduce new private members business why attempt to present these bills on the last possible day before the Assembly rises and enters caretaker mode at the end of the week. UNQUOTE

I’ll give you the reason in just one word. It starts with E and ends with N and sounds very much like the word “selection”.

Consummate prafeshennels.

Jonathon’s comments remind me of the saying “hell hath no fury like a woman scorned”.

He sniffed around the Liberals for endorsement and when he received no support he didn’t seek preselection and now bags the Liberals.

The last two sitting days of the assembly is a shambolic time to launch a legislative program.

But about what I’ve come to expect from Zed.

They’ll use it now as aplay during the run up to the election stating that the Government blocked necessary legislation for the people of Canberra. I note that bill jumped ship yesterday, not a good sign for those in the opposition benches.

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