Page 2247 - Week 09 - Tuesday, 15 September 1992
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On the second part of Mr Stevenson's question, Madam Speaker, I do not have the power to change the standing orders, and the Labor Party does not either. If you left it to the Labor Party to change the standing orders we might see some rather different changes from the one that Mr Stevenson is seeking. Madam Speaker, it is for this Assembly to deal with its standing orders. I am sure that Mr Stevenson knows that if he wishes to have a matter like this dealt with he can raise it on the floor of this chamber, as he has in a matter of public importance, and hear the view around the chamber. He can further raise it with the Administration and Procedures Committee, and, indeed, I believe that it has been raised with that committee.
Finally, Madam Speaker, the short answer to Mr Stevenson is that I am not able to assist him on this matter. There are other mechanisms available to him if he wishes to continue proposing the view that this is the wish of the majority of the people of Canberra. I have no evidence that Mr Stevenson's view in the matter is supported.
Mr Berry: How many people were polled in the Dennis poll?
MR STEVENSON: I ask a supplementary question. Without getting into the details of polls, perhaps the Chief Minister would say whether or not she would be prepared to consult with people on the many matters that come up in legislation and allow them sufficient time for input, for consultation, for public meetings and other things?
MS FOLLETT: Indeed, Madam Speaker, and that is the way that we go about the business of government. I think that we have a record of consultation on issues. If that is the point which Mr Stevenson is making, then it is a point with which I have some sympathy; but we do have to get on with the job. We did get elected on stated and known policies. That possibly is where the Labor Party in government differs from other parties here, most notably Mr Stevenson. What Mr Stevenson stood for was not particularly well known. In fact, what Mr Stevenson has stood for in this chamber from time to time has come as something of a surprise to many others. My party was elected on a known platform. We will get on with the job and we will consult appropriately in the course of getting on with that job.
Government Service - Provision of Information to Assembly Members
MR HUMPHRIES: My question is to the Chief Minister. Last Thursday the Chief Minister told the Assembly that the internal memorandum appearing over Mr Allan O'Neil's signature in the Government Solicitor's Office was "an officer's interpretation of the guidelines" and had not originated from any Minister or Mr Bill Harris. Will the Chief Minister confirm that the substance of the O'Neil memorandum is not a flight of fancy by an ACT Government officer, but is in fact based on a Cabinet decision taken just three weeks ago, that is, Cabinet decision No. 3208 of 24 August this year? Can the Chief Minister assure the Assembly that she has not misled it?
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