Oh what a lovely war it was in the Assembly yesterday.
It began in the morning with Gary Humphries’ Bill to give police the power to take the name and address of anyone, not just motorists, as is now the case.
“”Papers!” demanded the acting Minister for Internal Security, Terry Connolly, in his best German accent.
The theme recurred in Question Time when retired warrior Trevor Kaine (Lib) attacked the Budget’s voluntary separation scheme, saying the government had no idea how many would opt for it. There was no policy and no direction. It was just a pious hope.
“”You said you knew of people” who would opt for retirement, he said. “”Who are they? What are their names?”
“”And zheir addresses,” interjected Herr Connolly.
Frau Follett said she knew of public servants who “”would welcome the opportunity to change career”.
Greg Cornwell interjected with: “What a lovely euphemism,” conjuring a picture of public servants opting for a ticket on the train to redundancy in the Budget’s Final Solution.
The war over, another euphemistic career change was alluded to when Annette Ellis (Lab) asked about John Louttit, the president of the Canberra Chamber of Commerce and Industry, describing the Budget as delivering on “”soft, soapy, socialist issues and the continuation of the welfare state”.
Mr Louttit announced last month he would move from the position as general manager of Instant Office Furniture, an enterprise owned by Lou Westende, a Liberal MLA sitting opposite Ms Ellis as she asked the question.
“”What would he like us to go back on?” Mr Connolly asked.
“He probably wouldn’t mind his job back,” the Minister for Health, Wayne Berry interjected, hinting Mr Louttit did not welcome the opportunity to change career offered to him by Mr Westende.
At the time Mr Louttit’s only explanation was it was time to call it quits and do something else. The chamber of commerce, at that stage, was a vigorous supporter of Ms Follett’s business-enticing trip to Toyko and Mr Louttit, a Liberal Party member, was going too, despite the Liberal Party’s attack on the cost of the trip.
After Question Time, Mr Westende rose to give a personal explanation. Mr Louttit’s opportunity to change career had been discussed two months before his resigning, he said. He had resigned because he had finished his job.
To which Ms Follett interjected: “”I saw his face that night on television!” as no doubt public-sector managers will see the faces of servants to whom they are about to offer a similar opportunity of a career change.
Ellnor Grassy asked about the Sport Budget, enabling the Minister, Wayne Berry to read a press release from ACT Sport (which relies on him for funding) that said cloying things about new toys for sport in the Budget.
Michael Moore chastised Mr Connolly for condemning the Independents and the Liberals for holding up the Adoptions Bill and boasting that when passed he would “”have it up and running within tow or three weeks” when in fact it took four months to get up and running.
And Dennis Stevenson (Ind) asked a question about fluoride.