Page 3545 - Week 12 - Thursday, 20 September 1990
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was evident yesterday, no State government in Australia has such a code of ethics; so there is a real question as to whether or not we should be considering something similar to that for this Assembly. I am quite sure that the debate on this issue is not dead. I agree that the electorate has a right to expect a level of integrity in its elected members and I have no difficulty with that concept whatsoever. But I want to read that document from which you quoted before I venture an opinion on it one way or the other.
Adoption Law
MS MAHER: My question is addressed to the Minister for Housing and Community Services. I recently attended a seminar on adoption and listened to many views from the community. I gained the impression that reform is necessary. I note that in the budget papers there is no mention of proposed changes to the adoption law. Does this mean that there will be a delay in the reform of the current ACT adoption practices, and could the Minister explain what action he intends to take on adoption and whether the community will be consulted on those proposed changes?
MR COLLAERY: I thank Ms Maher for the question; it is a timely question. Since 1987 a community consultative process has been operating in the review of the ACT adoption law. A major report was produced around the time of self-government. That report has been extensively examined and consulted upon with various groups. A proposal recently went to the Government and the Cabinet has approved the drafting of a Bill incorporating a very comprehensive change to our adoption laws.
Since the issues are of extreme public interest and importance, the Government proposes that that Bill be put forward for community consultation and further exposure, as we did with the planning legislation. It is our ambition - and I stress the word "ambition" - to table the draft legislation during the current sittings of the Assembly. Of course, the draft will be distributed in the community so that we can get further feedback on those vital areas of adoption reform.
Canberra Church of England Girls Grammar School
MR CONNOLLY: My question is addressed to the Chief Minister in his capacity as Minister for planning. I refer to the block of land in Deakin which the Minister intends to give free of charge to Canberra Girls Grammar Junior School and to the Minister's statement during the MPI discussion yesterday that:
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