Page: 5588
Mr JOHN WATKINS: On 18 November the Leader of The Nationals asked me a question. On that day the Opposition attempted to use this House to criticise NSW Police, and, once again, it has been caught out. The Leader of The Nationals tried to denigrate the efforts of the northern region police and Operation Nightsafe. He tried to suggest that those hard-working police had rostered only one car to duty.
Mr Chris Hartcher: Point of order: I draw attention to Standing Order No. 82. The Minister, in answering a question, is seeking to impute improper motives to the Leader of The Nationals. The standing order is quite clear, it is specific, it does not make a general statement, and I draw your attention and that of the Leader of the House to it.
Mr SPEAKER: Order! The honourable member for Gosford will resume his seat.
[Interruption]
Mr SPEAKER: Order! The honourable member for Gosford will resume his seat. I place the honourable member for Gosford on three calls to order. I have not heard sufficient of the Minister's reply to be able to rule on the point of order. I will hear further from the Minister.
Mr JOHN WATKINS: The Opposition was caught out again, because on 22 November in the Coffs Harbour newspaper the Advocate—
[Interruption]
Mr SPEAKER: Order! The honourable member for Gosford will resume his seat. I remind him that he is on three calls to order.
Mr JOHN WATKINS: The Advocate ran a story entitled "Highway patrol claims 'wrong'" in which Senior Sergeant Malcolm Read of the Northern Region Traffic Services sent a clear message to the Leader of The Nationals. The article stated:
"Nightsafe began in February when it became apparent that a great number of heavy vehicles had abandoned the New England Highway in favour of the upgraded Pacific Highway", Snr Sgt Read said.
"Four patrol cars are supplied by each of the area commands to patrol the highway, and additional vehicles are working out of Newcastle and the Central Coast."
The Leader of The Nationals should be careful, because untruths like that will simply make him less popular than the honourable member for Vaucluse.
Questions without notice concluded.