21mar02

LABOR has ended the parliamentary sitting in the same way it started - with a censure motion against the federal government for its failure to be accountable and tell the truth.

It is the fifth such censure motion since parliament resumed for the year.

Others have attacked the government's accountability over the children overboard affair and funding for GP House.

"I seek leave to move that this House censures the government for its persistent failure to be accountable and to tell the truth, denigrating in the process institutions fundamental to Australian democracy," Opposition Leader Simon Crean said.

Those institutions included the public service, the defence forces, the parliament and the courts, he said.

"In particular the government's failure to prevent the raising of false allegations concerning a judge."