Page 3137 - Week 15 - Thursday, 14 December 1989
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Mr Collaery: But is that in your report? At what page have you refuted it?
MR WOOD: No; I am quoting from Hansard.
Mr Collaery: I want to know where you have refuted it.
MR WOOD: Well, have a look at the body we set up, Mr Collaery. Have a look at it.
Mr Collaery: I cannot find it.
MR WOOD: I am getting delayed here. I do not want to get involved too much in argument. What we are getting is a low-key, part-time advisory body, non-investigative, which reflects the integrity of the administration. It is one step forward in providing good government in this Territory.
Mr Jensen: A unanimous report.
MR WOOD: Unanimous, indeed. It is one good step forward. Unfortunately, today, it seems we are going to take a hundred steps backward in what the Government proposes to do with its committees. One small step forward, and you are demolishing the value of it by what you are proposing to do. Have a look at section 43 and subsequent sections of the ACT (Self-Government) Act. You will find - I am sure Mr Kaine has had advice on this from his senior officers - with your executive deputies that you cannot delegate authority to them. There is no availability of any rights for delegation of executive power.
MR SPEAKER: Order! Mr Wood, are you talking to the question?
MR WOOD: Well, Mr Speaker, let me explain this. The executive deputies are going to have a key role in the parliamentary accounts committee which is to oversee the operations of the independent commission. Now, if the parliamentary accounts committee is flawed by its construction - - -
Mr Kaine: And the Leader of the Opposition will chair it.
MR SPEAKER: Order! Please proceed to the question, Mr Wood.
MR WOOD: Well, thank you, Mr Speaker, for acknowledging that point. Executive deputies are a key part of this. What does section 43 say? It says:
A Minister shall administer such matters relating to the powers of the Executive as are allocated to that Minister from time to time by the Chief Minister.
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