Ms BURNET (Clark) – This is a matter of urgency. This parliament is part of the Westminster system. To function as a parliament, it relies on a functioning opposition led by a functioning leader of the opposition, and we are not seeing much of that on display. The main function of the parliament is all of us contributing. We are here – the opposition, the crossbench ‑ to scrutinise the government, not back them in. This is what we are seeing from the Leader of the Opposition.
Might I add that it looks clear that he is abrogating his responsibility of calling to account the government? There seem to be these wacky tactics from the opposition –
Mr Winter– Wacky tactics? Hello?
The SPEAKER – The member will address the seeking of leave.
Ms BURNET – Yes, I am getting to that.
The SPEAKER – No, you will address the seeking of leave.
Ms BURNET – We are talking about the fact that the opposition are not providing bills. They were only forced into taking on something when the member for Franklin, Mr O’Byrne, introduced industrial manslaughter – then they decided to put a bill forward. We need to see that they are looking at what the government is doing, and we are not seeing this kind of leadership.
Members interjecting.
The SPEAKER – Thank you members for Franklin and Bass. This is an unusual enough circumstance without us all getting thrown out during it.
Ms BURNET – We are not seeing this leadership from the Leader of the Opposition, and it is urgently required. We have one of the most fundamental pieces of infrastructure coming before us – the most expensive in Tasmania’s history –
The SPEAKER – The seeking of leave. Not the urgency, but the seeking of leave.
Ms BURNET – Yes. It is very important that we get this leave to discussion this motion because it is really questioning how the Leader of the Opposition is functioning.
