Page 43 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 22 February 1994
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Mr Lamont: I have been identified with the whole of Canberra, Mr Humphries.
MR HUMPHRIES: Have you? You have been identified with a lot of things I would not like to admit to, Mr Lamont. It seems to me, Madam Speaker, that it is appropriate for there to be a range of geographical locations for members on that committee. Mr Cornwell, of course, brings longstanding residence and membership of the area of Canberra which is now known as the Molonglo electorate. That is a very important change that has occurred since the committee was set up.
Secondly, Madam Speaker, Mr De Domenico, is no longer the spokesman for this party on questions of the public service; that position now falls on Mr Kaine's shoulders. There would be few people in this place with wider experience and knowledge of the ACT public service than Mr Kaine. It is therefore entirely appropriate that he should take that place on the committee and contribute his experience to the committee. Madam Speaker, I commend to the house these changes arising out of changes to the shadow ministerial arrangements.
MR LAMONT (4.41): I rise briefly to comment on the proposed changes. The practical position in this chamber is that a particular party determines who amongst its members shall represent it on particular bodies. A decision has been taken by the Liberal Party in relation to the current deputy chair of the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Committee. Madam Speaker, we in this chamber quite often have gibes at each other across the chamber about a whole range of issues, and I think that at times we fail to recognise the contribution that individual members make to the workings of the Assembly and, in particular, on this occasion, the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Committee. I acknowledge the role performed by Mr Kaine during the life of this Assembly, the role performed by him when he was the Minister responsible for planning in the ACT and his invaluable contributions when he went into opposition. Although he has had other role changes in his Assembly life, he has continued as a member of the committee and, indeed, has been the deputy chair.
The continuity of Mr Kaine's involvement in the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Committee is something that I personally value, Madam Speaker. With his experience, he helped draft and present to this Assembly the planning legislation that was - unfortunately, in my view - substantially amended on the floor of this Assembly and made almost unworkable. It is pleasing to see that Mr Kaine was also a keen supporter of the self-reference by the Planning Committee of an inquiry into planning legislation. Mr Kaine, I say with great certainty that you will be sadly missed by me as chair of that committee and, I am sure, by every other member of the committee. You will be missed by - - -
Mr Humphries: It sounds as if he is dead or something.
MR LAMONT: Let me comment on that, Mr Humphries, by suggesting that his resurrection in this political life is more assured than yours is. Mr Kaine, because we are a party that listens and a government that listens, we are prepared to vote against this motion if you wish us to. All you need to do is give us the nod that you do not wish to depart from this committee and we will only too gladly see your position retained.
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