Page 2862 - Week 13 - Wednesday, 22 November 1989
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
on the directions in which the ACT is going to go in the short term at least on those topics.
MR JENSEN (4.22): There are a couple of issues I wish to raise in relation to program 3, ACT corporate management. Members may recall that during Estimates Committee hearings the issue of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission's location and place in the ACT was discussed. While no recommendation was made by the Estimates Committee in that particular area, I think we were concerned at the possible duplication of functions and obligations if the ACT Legislative Assembly enacts its own antidiscrimination legislation in the future. I guess we were just flagging the issue for future consideration by the Government. I want to get on record that, because of the problems associated with the move of that commission to Sydney out of the ACT, if we establish our own there may be some duplication of services within the ACT.
The other area that I wish to comment on in regard to program 3 is an item that was once again raised by the Estimates Committee. It related to the method by which the people of the ACT could ascertain how much the running of the Assembly would cost them. Clearly, the figure that we have already voted, involving support to the Legislative Assembly of $4.430m, is for only one part of the operation of the Assembly.
There is one other section which, I think, is probably important, is quite expensive and should be clearly identified. I refer to the cost associated with the running of the Executive. I am pleased to see that the Government has accepted the recommendation by the Estimates Committee on that matter and that in future this area will be clearly identified in the budget papers.
While we take the point that the money that is provided for the Speaker of the Assembly directly for the Assembly is under the direct control of the Speaker, the proposal to continue with the program for the Executive at least will ensure that that money is under the control of the Chief Minister, as it quite rightly should be. The people of the ACT will be able to clearly identify the cost associated with running this Assembly. I suggest it is up to us to make sure that we give them value for the not inconsiderable dollars spent in the running of the Assembly.
Division agreed to.
Division 30.2, $2,600,000, agreed to.
Proposed expenditures - ACT Treasury -
Division 40.1, $108,141,700
MR JENSEN (4.27): Mr Speaker, this matter was again raised by the Estimates Committee and it relates to the requirement for accountability for the $10m Treasurer's
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .