It was an awkward #ACTQT today caught mid-debate over Attorney General Simon Corbell’s censure motion brought on by the Liberal Party over his alleged mismanagement of the Alexander Maconochie Centre (Canberra’s supposedly human-rights compliant prison).

While the Liberal Party send out press releases claiming the Labor Government is “plotting” against the people of Canberra (not kidding), the chamber rang with the sounds of action plans on greenhouse gas reduction targets, homelessness, compulsory third party insurance, the rosters of junior doctors, an update on the Bimberi Youth Detention Centre inquiry (there isn’t one), needles in the AMC, the Murray Darling Basin Commission and… motorcycles.

Off the back of a Greens question from Caroline Le Couteur about learner motorcycle riders, Chief Minister Jon Stanhope was forced to explain his review of vulnerable road-user materials from the Netherlands.

“I can’t say for certain we have, Ms Le Couteur,” the Chief said.

“But I’m sure you’re aware for the last 18 months we’ve been closely engaged with a departmental revision of road safety, it has involved a very deep analysis of best practice as we pursue the adoption and disemenation of a new road safety strategy.”

Then Jeremy Hanson weighed in, addressing the Chief:

“Given your dissertation on the road rules of Western Europe, perhaps you could update the Assembly on bike safety in Spain?”

Stanhope wasn’t having a bar of it: “These are important questions on road safety, 100 Canberrans have died in the last six years in the ACT.

“These are very serious questions with very serious implications. I don’t think we should be jesting.”

Later Le Couteur put out a statement on the subject:

Caroline Le Couteur has expressed dismay at the Liberal Health spokesperson, Jeremy Hanson, for making light of road safety issues during question time in the Legislative Assembly.

“Road accidents are one of the biggest causes of death in the ACT, and is an issue that deserves the attention and respect of all Members,” Ms Le Couteur said.

“The Greens were asking serious questions to the Chief Minister about protecting vulnerable road users.

“This was interrupted by Liberal Jeremy Hanson making a juvenile attempt to criticise the Chief Minister for taking an overseas holiday. His question indicated a complete lack of concern for the issue of road safety.

“This is an insult to motorcyclists and cyclists in Canberra. Mr Hanson has shown a casual indifference to this important issue and should apologise publically,” Ms Le Couteur said.

Got some spare time at 2pm tomorrow? Watch #ACTQT online and weigh in on local debate.