STATE GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS

Adjourned debate on motion of Ms Chapman:

That this house congratulates Premier Ted Baillieu, Premier Barry O'Farrell and their respective Liberal Coalition teams on their election to government .

(Continued from 5 May 2011.)

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Industry and Trade, Minister for Small Business, Minister for Correctional Services) (12:16): The government will propose an amendment to this motion to make it read:

That this house notes Premier Ted Baillieu, Premier Barry O'Farrell and their respective Liberal Coalition teams on their election to government.

The government wishes to amend this to say 'note' for a very good reason. It is not the place of this house to congratulate any one politician on their victories; it is the place of this parliament to debate matters of importance. While their victories are impressive and they should be congratulated, I am sure that the people of Victoria and New South Wales have already congratulated them by bestowing them high office.

I think what Ms Chapman is attempting to do here is to play a bit of politics. Quite frankly, I suspect it is a little bit embarrassing because, in the same breath that she congratulates Mr Baillieu and Mr O'Farrell on their victories, she fails to mention the dismal loss of her own leader at her own hands at the last election last year.

Mr Pengilly: Who's playing politics now?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: I am simply responding to an unprovoked attack by the Liberal Party. I am above these forms of petty politics. I have risen above the mere political politicking that the member for Finniss does day in, day out, in his desperate attempt to crawl back into government.

The SPEAKER: Minister, I have to remind you that you have already spoken on this. I've got a feeling you know you have also. I also remind the minister that his amendment is out of order.

Debate adjourned on motion of Mr Treloar.

Mr PENGILLY: Madam Speaker, I am just wondering when we are actually going to get to a motion to debate today. I have had motions on the Notice Paper for months and I know that other members have introduced them but they are not here to speak to them. It is totally ridiculous to have private members' business—

The SPEAKER: You really—

Mr PENGILLY: I just draw it to your attention.