Page 6185 - Week 19 - Tuesday, 17 December 1991

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seen legislation drafted in haste which has contained serious flaws. Mr Stefaniak's legislation also had a fairly serious unintended effect which had to be rapidly fixed up. No, I do not propose to accept Mr Collaery's legislation at this point; but I certainly give an assurance that the portability of domestic violence orders has been agreed, at my instigation, between all States and Territories and will be proceeded with as a matter of the greatest urgency.

MR COLLAERY: I have a supplementary question of the Chief Minister. I ask her whether she would grant me leave to introduce an amendment on the basis of a restricted debate of no more than 15 minutes. In answering that, would she understand the very clear pressures upon her to protect women in these circumstances? The Bills have been properly prepared.

MS FOLLETT: It is not up to me, Mr Speaker. It is up to the members of this Assembly whether or not they wish to grant Mr Collaery leave. But my reservations stand. We have seen too often very hasty drafting efforts that have had to be amended, fixed up, because of their unintended consequences. I certainly do not intend to accept Mr Collaery's legislation. If Mr Collaery wishes to raise it at some appropriate time in private members' business, that is entirely up to him.

Better Cities Program Funding

MR STEFANIAK: I ask the Chief Minister: Is it a fact that the ACT Government has lost the opportunity to get $1m of Commonwealth money because of a botched application under the better cities program?

MS FOLLETT: It is not, Mr Speaker; but this matter really does not come within my portfolio. I defer to Mr Wood.

MR WOOD: Mr Speaker, that would be the first I have heard of it. There was an application for better cities money, and there was no botching of that application. I do not know where Mr Stefaniak gets that idea from. The application is in front of the Federal Government, and I hope that we hear a positive response shortly.

Auditor-General

MR KAINE: I direct a question to the Chief Minister. On latest advice, the appointment of our Auditor-General expires on 31 December, 14 days from now. Has the Government made a decision about who the Auditor-General is to be from 1 January 1991 and, if so, when does the Chief Minister intend to inform the Assembly of that appointment?


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