Page 2113 - Week 07 - Thursday, 29 June 2023
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OLA’s commitment to WHS safety. They clearly put into the public domain what happens here and articulate the commitment to that by the members and all those who work here.
I am pleased with the support. For the information of members, there was also a recommendation that an MOU be developed with the Work Health and Safety Commissioner. For information, the Office of the Legislative Assembly has provided a draft MOU to the commission and we look forward to receiving their feedback and working on that project. Again, it is good to see common agreement.
MR HANSON (Murrumbidgee) (11.39): I agree with Madam Speaker that it is good to see that we are unified on this, for the most part. I have to confess that there is a little part of me that did quite enjoy the spectacle of the barney between Madam Speaker and Mr Gentleman! But today, as a parliamentarian, I think it is important that we agree. It is good that that is behind us, that we march on together and that we are joined in this place on what are very important matters: upholding not just the safety of this place but the democratic principles as well. Although, from the Acting Leader of the Opposition’s point of view, it was entertaining, I do not think that it was edifying; nor was it a good thing for parliamentary process. I am glad that it is behind us.
Amendments agreed to.
Bill, as a whole, as amended, agreed to.
Bill, as amended, agreed to.
Financial Management Amendment Bill 2021 (No 2)
Debate resumed from 1 December 2021, on motion by Mr Gentleman:
That this bill be agreed to in principle.
MR CAIN (Ginninderra) (11.40): I want to thank the Minister for Industrial Relations and Workplace Safety for bringing this bill to the chamber today. I will be seeking leave later, on behalf of the Canberra Liberals, to amend this bill to ensure the independence of key statutory officers.
The Canberra Liberals have several issues with the original bill. The original bill would have provided directive powers to the Chief Minister giving oversight, via a notifiable instrument, of departments or, more broadly, public sector entities to fulfil the insourcing framework. It would have permitted the Chief Minister to interfere with the performance of the Office of the Legislative Assembly, the ACT Auditor-General, the ACT Integrity Commissioner, the ACT Electoral Commissioner and the ACT Ombudsman. Under the original bill, the Speaker, the Clerk and the Deputy Clerk, who are in this room now, would have been directed by the executive on matters pertaining to staff arrangements, the procurement of services and office management. I have grave concerns as to why the minister believed oversight of these office holders via notifiable instrument would be appropriate. Is it really an implied criticism of the staffing arrangements of this Assembly?
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