SPEAKER Shane Rattenbury says he was “immensely disappointed” by the ACT Liberals’ attempt to have him removed as speaker today.

Opposition Leader Zed Seselja today moved a vote of no confidence against Rattenbury in response to his recent support of the illegal Greenpeace protest that saw $300,000 worth of damage to a genetically modified CSIRO crop.

However Rattenbury told the media today he has made his position clear from the beginning.

“My position has been very clear from the beginning of the debate that I respect and seek to uphold the rule of law,” he said

“I’ve been consistent in views that those who break the law should face the consequences and face the court and that’s exactly what I’ve said all along.

The Liberal Party want to politicise the role of the Speaker by misrepresenting the view that I have put forward.”

He said he doesn’t regret making the initial comments on breakfast radio.

“I think my words were perfectly clear right along and I think people in the community who I have spoken to who heard my words understood exactly what I said and some members in this place have chosen to use my work for their own political means and sought to cast it in a light that casts a shadow on me,” he said.

“Most  people I’ve spoken to in the community know exactly what I was saying and I feel comfortable in that.”

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Zed Seselja said the ACT Labor Party had today confirmed its coalition with the ACT Greens by rejecting the Canberra Liberals’ no confidence motion against
Rattenbury, despite the fact he condoned the illegal destruction of $300,000 worth of CSIRO genetically  modified crops.

“Shane Rattenbury has publicly and repeatedly stated that he supports illegal protests,” Mr Seselja said.

“Shane Rattenbury is not just any Member of the Assembly, but the lawmaker tasked with upholding order for the lawmakers themselves. It’s indefensible for any lawmaker to support unlawful behaviour, let alone the Speaker.

“ACT Labor today admitted that Shane Rattenbury’s endorsement of this illegal action is unacceptable, but refused to stand up to the Greens, and instead chose to nurture its clearly biased relationship with the party.

“For ACT Labor to agree these actions were wrong but choose to preserve this relationship is clear disregard for the people of Canberra, who rely on the Assembly to advocate on their behalf. They have trashed the Assembly for the sake of their coalition.

“I’m disappointed, but not surprised, to see ACT Labor has prioritised its coalition with the Greens over the clear need to take serious action over Shane Rattenbury’s behaviour.”