Hon Christopher Finlayson

Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON (Attorney-General) : Mr Parker’s generous and statesmanlike contributions remind me of the line from John F Kennedy’s inaugural address that “civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof.”

I think that the test of sincerity always being subject to proof applies to all parties in this House as we enact legislation that will sweep away this odious Electoral Finance Act. This legislation provides us all with the opportunity to have a constructive multiparty discussion on this critical matter, but not for ourselves. Sometimes there is an almost holier-than-thou attitude coming through the Greens’ speeches—that all the other parties are really only concerned about themselves. That is wrong. We are all concerned, ultimately, about doing something that is in the public interest.

Thank goodness that as a member of Parliament I can finally move on from this poorly drafted Electoral Finance Act.

Hon Simon Power: Let it go!

Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON: I have let it go—from the chaotic select committee hearings under the guidance of Lynne Pillay; from the inability of the previous Minister of Justice, Mr Burton, to answer questions on the issue in the House; from the bluster of the former “Minister for Common Sense”, Annette King; from the historical inaccuracies of Mr Chauvel; from the contradictory positions of the Greens; from the failure of the previous Attorney-General to provide a section 7 report; and, above all, from the poisonous atmosphere that infected this House throughout the latter stages of 2007.

All issues are on the table; all issues will be objectively and honestly considered. I believe that if we all work together, then issues like the matter of third parties, which Mr Parker referred to, will be able to be addressed. However, if we are to deal with the notion of third parties, then I hope we have a different name emerging from the select committee. I do not like that term. It suggests that the public are somehow interlopers into the games of politicians, whereas, in actual fact, they are the principals and we are the servants. But if all parties listen to the public—and there will be a real opportunity to do that—and all members of Parliament do their job, then I believe we will be able to enact properly enduring legislation