Minister Morris Defends Government Response After Opposition Motion Stalls

Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Nicholas Morris, has defended Leader of Government Business, Barry Padarath’s criticism of the Opposition, after a procedural error prevented debate on an Opposition motion on water supply issues in the House of Representatives on Friday.

Speaking to reporters, Minister Morris rejected suggestions that Parliamentary officials were responsible for the failed motion, arguing instead that the Opposition’s own mistake was to blame.

“What is critical is that Mr. Gonzales, the Chief Whip, is no junior to Parliament. I am a first time MP, he’s not, he’s the Chief Whip, former Minister, self proclaimed Parliamentary guru as you hear on their side. So its very embarrassing that the Opposition has ruined their own attempt to raise a motion. But I want to repeat what Minister Padarath said in his release. The Government was firmly prepared to answer that motion.”