So last week the Opposition Leader, Barry O'Farrell, was ejected from the Legislative Assembly for 24 hours for failing to comply with the direction of the Speaker, Richard Torbay.
Barry had asked a question which on face value was very important. It related to why the Government had removed the power of the Ombudsman to investigate matters relating to failures of the states' child protection system. As Mr O'Farrell later said, if you are going to be thrown out, then there could be no more important issue to be thrown out over.
Did Barry intend to be thrown out? Was it pre-planned? A stunt? Maybe. One thing for certain, Torbay was left with no other option with such a flagrant challenge to and disregard for the authority of the Speaker.
But let's not exonerate entirely the Premier. Premier Rees had the opportunity to deal with the question in a direct and appropriate manner - he chose to ignore the basis of the question and reply in the typical manner of an attack against the Opposition on their previous policies and lack of support for DOCs. This may be true, but it would be nice to see at least now and then, the Government, be magnanimous in it's use of power, by directly and professionally answering a question. This question would have been a good chance - and a more balanced response from Nathan Rees would have done him credit. He missed the chance.
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Whilst agreeing that the Speaker should be respected, the practice of politicians avoiding answering pertinent questions seems to continue unabashed. It can be easily verified by scanning the questions on notice in Hansard.
ReplyDeleteIt does little for the credibility of any government, particularly the current Labor government of NSW.