Joe O'Toole (Independent)

This is my fourth time to participate in a debate on this issue. These debates included one in this House and three at committee level. Senator Mansergh has no right to criticise Senator John Paul Phelan and others for the low level of debate. I sat through the previous debate in this House and appealed to Members on both sides to take a rational, constructive and philosophical view on our approach to this matter. I have been consistently supportive of decentralisation. I also listened to Senator Leyden speak during the previous debate. Senator John Paul Phelan would not be doing his duty as a public representative if he did not analyse that speech and tear it to pieces. That is what it deserved.