Page 1383 - Week 06 - Tuesday, 1 May 1990
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Tuesday, 1 May 1990
___________________
MR SPEAKER (Mr Prowse) took the chair at 2.30 pm and read the prayer.
RESIGNATION OF MEMBER
MR SPEAKER: I wish to inform the Assembly that I have received a letter from Mr Whalan, dated 30 April 1990, resigning his office as a member of the Assembly. Pursuant to subsection 13(3) of the Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act, 1988 I table the letter.
NOMINATION AND SELECTION OF NEW MEMBER
MR SPEAKER: I have received a letter from Mr David Wedgwood, secretary of the ACT branch of the Australian Labor Party, nominating Mr Terry Connolly to fill the office vacated by Mr Whalan and certifying that he is a member of the Australian Labor Party, ACT branch. I have also received a statutory declaration from Mr Connolly stating that he satisfies the requirements of section 67 of the Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988 regarding qualifications of persons to be elected and take a seat as a member of the Legislative Assembly for the Australian Capital Territory.
MS FOLLETT (Leader of the Opposition) (2.31), by leave: Mr Speaker, I move:
That Mr Terry Connolly, a person who is qualified to be elected and take a seat as a member, be chosen to fill the vacant office caused by the resignation of Mr Paul Whalan for the rest of Mr Whalan's term of office.
Mr Speaker, this is an historic moment in the life of the ACT Legislative Assembly. There have, of course, been many firsts in this new Assembly. It would not be unreasonable, I believe, to say that precedents have been set almost every week, but the choosing of a new member of the Assembly to fill a casual vacancy is a particularly significant matter. It is a reminder to us as legislators that we too are subject to the rule of law, and in particular the law which provides for the election of members of this Assembly.
I believe that foremost in our minds today should be the fact that the process for selecting a new member is designed to reflect the will of the people who voted in the
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