Page 4874 - Week 16 - Tuesday, 26 November 1991

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The Adelaide meeting also resulted in significant outcomes on issues relating to the reform of the Australian federation and intergovernmental financial arrangements. State and Territory leaders reaffirmed their commitment to an arrangement for tax sharing with the Commonwealth and endorsed the establishment of a council of the federation as an ongoing forum to examine taxation issues, the allocation of responsibilities for providing services, and other issues requiring intergovernmental consideration.

Details of the outcomes of the Adelaide meeting are contained in a communique released at the end of the meeting. I shall table this document for members' information.

I should like to conclude, Mr Speaker, by noting that the discussions in Adelaide were conducted in a cooperative and productive spirit. We reached significant and far-reaching agreements across a wide span of issues which are essential to the country's social and economic well-being. But we also recognised that the further reforms now needed to the way we go about government in Australia will be best progressed by the involvement of the Commonwealth Government. We have therefore written to the Prime Minister proposing mechanisms to achieve this involvement. Mr Speaker, I believe that we can look forward to further benefits to the ACT from our cooperation with the States, the Northern Territory and the Commonwealth Government.

I present the following papers:

Premiers and Chief Ministers Meeting - Adelaide, 21-22 November 1991 -

Communique

Ministerial statement, 26 November 1991.

I move:

That the Assembly takes note of the papers.

Debate (on motion by Mr Kaine) adjourned.

NON-GOVERNMENT SCHOOL FUNDING
Discussion of Matter of Public Importance

MR SPEAKER: I have received a letter from Mr Humphries proposing that a matter of public importance be submitted to the Assembly for discussion, namely:

The need for an urgent inquiry into the funding of non-government education in the Territory.

MR HUMPHRIES (3.09): I raise an issue that is obviously of concern to citizens of the Territory and appears to be of concern even to the Government at the present time, although there has been some period - - -


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