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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2024-11-28 Daily Xml
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Political Donations

Mr ELLIS (Narungga) (15:04): My question is to the Special Minister of State. Can the minister confirm that the recently passed ban on political donations will not affect the charitable efforts of MPs—for example, those seeking donations for Movember?

The Hon. D.R. CREGAN (Kavel—Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services, Special Minister of State) (15:04): I appreciate the question from the member for Narungga. It is a vital question. I am sure that all members are focused on this matter, but no more focused than the member for Narungga. I hope that you will indulge me, Mr Speaker. You, of course, will be familiar with standing order 127, which prevents digression or personal reflection on a member. I just observe that the member for Narungga has engaged closely with the Movember Foundation. He has been inspired to make a contribution to men's mental health. He should be commended for his focus. I must say he has been making considerable progress—considerable progress.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. D.R. CREGAN: Various suggestions are being made by members as to the likeness that the member for Narungga might invite, the comparisons that might be invited. Of course, I myself had in mind, perhaps, Mervyn Hughes or David Boon, or even Dennis Lillee. Those are obviously very flattering comparisons. I think there have been others around the chamber who have suggested—I am not sure what their TV viewing habits have been—that the member for Narungga's present appearance might be that of a Soviet tank driver or a World War II fighter pilot in the midst of the Battle of Britain, with no time to perform or to care for his moustache but all the time to commit to the necessary and desperate task of the defence of the realm. Can I commend the—

The Hon. N.D. Champion: Lord Flashheart.

The Hon. D.R. CREGAN: I am not sure that that's a comparison I would make. In any case, we commend the member for Narungga. I am ashamed to say that I could in no way replicate his efforts. That is a complication I can't resolve, unfortunately. Nonetheless, I appreciate the question. To return to the question, Mr Speaker, having enjoyed the benefit of your indulgence and generosity and forgiveness, having extensively engaged in personal reflection under standing order 127, which of course directs me not to, can I reassure the member for Narungga that the world-leading donations ban, which has been the subject of focus in this house and in the other place—and once again I, of course, stray too close to the standing orders in making those remarks—has been the subject of considerable focus in the contribution of all, and there has been a consensus reached in this place to pass the bill.

I think Mike Smithson, now that we are reflecting on the contribution of others and the contribution of the media, described it as 'peace in our times' in his nightly reporting, which I always take seriously. It is a remarkable thing that we have built on the long history, the pedigree and legacy of people in this place who were determined to ensure that we would, no matter the complications and the novel complexities, address not only this issue but many other democratic reforms. I can advise the member for Narungga that there is no impediment to donating to the Movember Foundation—no impediment at all to doing that.

The SPEAKER: I remind the minister that the four minutes on the clock is a maximum, not a minimum. Henry Lawson has a supplementary—sorry, the member for Narungga has a supplementary.

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